Prices and market share for used electric cars have reached their highest-ever level at Autorola, providing a further sign they are becoming an integral part of the UK used car market.

Hybrids and EVs reached 8.4% of Autorola’s total sales mix in Q4; the highest number it has recorded and a further sign they are becoming an integral part of the UK used car market

New data for sales via the firm’s online portal reveals that hybrids and EVs expanded to account for 8.4% of Autorola’s total mix in Q4. The record high coincides with the business launching a new dedicated weekly alternative fuels auction for Arval.

Autorola’s data also reveals that prices for used EVs recorded the greatest rise for all powertrain types for Q4. EVs were up 17.2% (or £3,900) from £22,718 in Q3 to £26,618 in Q4. Meanwhile, used petrol prices rose from £14,761 to £15,827 (£1066/7.2%) in the same period, while used diesel prices were up by £1,144 (5.7%) as volumes fell to just one in three (33.7%) of Autorola’s total sales – marking an all-time low. Only hybrids fell in price by £1,331 to £21,935 (down 5.6%) on the back of a higher average age and mileage.

Jon Mitchell, Autorola UK’s group sales director, said: “We saw more used EVs sell through our portal in Q4 than any other previous month so despite the industry shortage of used cars the zero-emission cars are starting to trickle into the second hand market.

“And they are clearly in demand when they do reach auction as the price hike in Q4 shows. Prices rose by £3,900/17.2% to £26,618.

“We are also witnessing more calls from buyers about EVs and our weekly online alternative fuel sale for Arval is reporting 100% conversion rates. The used EVolution is definitely upon us now.”

We saw more used EVs sell through our portal in Q4 than any other previous month so despite the industry shortage of used cars the zero emission cars are starting to trickle into the second hand market.

And they are clearly in demand when they do reach auction as the price hike in Q4 shows. Prices rose by £3,900/17.1% to £26,618. We are also witnessing more calls from buyers about EVs and our weekly online alternative fuel sale for Arval is reporting 100% conversion rates. The used EVolution is definitely upon us now.

And demand for used cars across the powertrain spectrum is set to continue rising across 2022, according to Autorola.

“We are going to see reduced new car sales continue to fuel an increased demand for used cars throughout 2022. Some dealers cleared out some older used stock in Q4 as they reached their year-end but while fleets continue to extend replacement cycles the used car supply shortage is not going to fix itself anytime soon,” said Mitchell.