BEVs account for record 3.4% of used car market

New data from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that used car transactions reached almost two million units (1,996,116) in the second quarter, bringing the overall market back to pre-pandemic level in the first half of the year.

The UK’s used car market grew by 1.7 per cent this quarter, with a record 68,721 electric vehicles changing hands. This means that one in ten used car sales are electrified. The combined market share of petrol and diesel ICE cars fell by more than two percentage points as second-hand electric vehicles grew in popularity.

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions increased by 27.7 per cent to 100,127 units, owning five per cent of the market, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were up by 10.3 per cent to 24, 370 with a market share of 1.2 per cent.

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales grew the most, up 40 per cent to a record 68,721 units and accounting for 3.4 per cent of the market.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Surpassing the four million half-year milestone for the first time since 2019 shows the UK’s used car market is building back momentum. That’s good news for the industry and for motorists who benefit from more choice and affordability across a range of higher tech, cleaner vehicles, notably in the emerging electric vehicle sector.

“To maintain this trajectory, a thriving new car market must be delivered across the segments, along with accelerated investment into the charging network to give every driver the ability to switch.”