Demand for used electric vehicles hit record levels in 2021, new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal.

A total of 40,228 used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold last year, up by 119.2%

A total of 40,228 used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold last year, up by 119.2%. Transactions for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also hit a new record, up by 75.6% to 56,861 transactions while hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions rose by 50.3% to 137,639; again a new high.

The rise was the result of the increasing number of ultra-low and zero-emission models filtering through to second owners. In total, these vehicles represented 3.1% of the market.

But even with record demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles, 96.6% of all used car sales were still either petrol or diesel models, after transactions for these powertrains increased by 10.7% and 9.8% respectively, with a combined 7,277,291 units changing hands.

The SMMT data also reveals that overall UK used car transactions grew 11.5% in 2021, despite Covid lockdowns and continued unsettled consumer and business confidence.

A total of 7,530,956 used car transactions took place in 2021, up by 777,997 units on 2020.

But the market was still down 5.5% on the pre-pandemic five-year average and conditions fluctuated over the year. The second quarter was the best Q2 on record with 2.1 million transactions, but Q4 was much weaker, with transactions falling by 3.1% to just over 1.6 million compared to 2020.

The SMMT said that with the global shortage of semiconductors set to ease later this year, more low- and zero-emission models would become available for second owners.

Mike Hawes, chief executive, added: “The demand for personal mobility has undoubtedly increased during the pandemic, so it’s vital we have healthy new car sales to drive fleet renewal and the used car market if we are to improve air quality and address climate change.”