There has been a sharp increase in used electric vehicle sales following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East at the end of February, according to automotive data company Marketcheck.

In February 2026, an average of around 787 used EVs were sold per day - this rose significantly to an average of 1,074 per day in March.

Sales volumes increased steadily throughout March, with multiple days exceeding 1,000 units for the first time. The highest daily total was recorded on March 30, with 1,657 vehicles sold.

The timing suggests that rising uncertainty around fuel prices and global energy markets may be significantly influencing consumer behaviour, with more buyers turning to electric vehicles.

Alastair Campbell, Marketcheck UK, commented: “The jump in daily EV sales in March is notable, both in scale and speed. We saw a clear increase immediately after the end of February, with volumes rising well above recent averages.

"While the used EV market has been growing steadily, this kind of acceleration points to external factors influencing buyer decisions. Concerns around fuel costs and wider uncertainty appear to be pushing more consumers towards electric vehicles.

"Marketcheck’s data indicates that the used EV market is becoming increasingly responsive to global events, alongside longer-term trends such as improving affordability and availability.”