Demand for second hand EVs and hybrids grows in Q2 2019

The sale of second-hand hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric cars has risen 24.8%, with 33,492 models changing hands in the second quarter of the year, according to SMMT figures.

Of these alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), pure electrics experienced the largest growth – up 32.8%, with hybrids also rising 25% to 29,321 units.

Overall the UK’s used car market declined by a moderate -2.8% in the second quarter of the year.

Used car sales have fallen in every month this year apart from March, when they rose just 1.9%. In the second quarter, drops in the North West, Scotland and the South East drove the decline, while all other regions experienced increases in demand. Cities topping the list for used car sales were London, Birmingham and Sheffield.

Demand for petrol and diesel models declined in the second quarter, down by -3.7% and -2.5% respectively.

Superminis remained by far the most popular used buy, with 665,469 of these smaller cars finding new owners, while the dual purpose segment enjoyed the largest growth, up 9.1% to 227,197 units.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “With the country still gripped by economic and political uncertainty it’s perhaps unsurprising to see the used car market slowing down. This means owners are often holding on to their cars for longer, delaying the widespread introduction of the latest, cleanest models which is not good for air quality. We need a boost to consumer confidence, something that a Brexit deal would deliver, to improve the fortunes of the industry and the wider economy.”