More people buy second-hand electric car as fuel prices surge due to Iran war
Sales of used electric vehicles in the Netherlands rose sharply in the first half of this year, increasing more than 54% to 70,547 cars compared with a year earlier, according to industry group BOVAG.
The increase came alongside a shifting used-car market, where overall sales fell while electric vehicles gained share. BOVAG attributed the surge in interest in used electric cars to higher fuel prices linked to the war in the Middle East, which pushed more consumers toward lower running-cost vehicles.
At the same time, the market share of electric cars in the used-car segment rose to an average of 6.7% in the first half of the year, up from 4.2% a year earlier. In April, the share peaked at just over 8% before easing back down, BOVAG said.
“The higher fuel prices have clearly stimulated interest in used electric cars, especially among consumers who were already due for a different car and are sensitive to operating costs,” said Bob Velthuis, chair of BOVAG Independent Car Companies. “We now see that the market share, after the peak in April, has returned to its previous level.”
BOVAG also reported notable shifts in cross-border movement of used electric vehicles. Imports rose to 9,362 vehicles in the first six months of the year, up from 5,635 in the same period last year. Exports moved in the opposite direction, falling to 17,466 used vehicles from 19,637 a year earlier.
Despite the strong growth in electric vehicle sales, the broader used-car market contracted. Total used-car sales fell by more than 3% in the first half of the year to just over 1 million vehicles. Only March recorded an increase during the period, BOVAG said.
Industry experts also caution buyers to carefully assess battery condition when purchasing a used electric vehicle. Youssef Arouss of Expert2Go told NU.nl earlier that battery health is a key factor in evaluating a vehicle’s condition.
“If you choose a car that has been around for a few years, check the battery. As long as it is still at 85% strength, the quality is good enough,” Arouss said.
He added that battery lifespan varies widely depending on the model and usage and is difficult to predict. While electric vehicles generally require less maintenance, they can experience faster wear on tires and brakes compared with conventional cars.
