Used EVs Hit A Record Share Of Overall Used Car Sales In September

Booming used EV sales suggest people do want plug-in models, as long as the price is right.

2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E

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Suvrat Kothari

By: Suvrat Kothari

Oct 19, at 3:39pm ET

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Used electric cars reached a record 3.3% share of the total used car market.
The Tesla Model Y, Chevy Equinox EV, and Nissan Ariya are some of the most popular used EVs.
Prices of pre-owned models have increased due to higher demand.

Electric vehicles may be having a rough year in the new car market, but the demand for used models is soaring. Used EVs accounted for a record share of all used vehicle sales in the U.S. in September, as lower prices relative to brand new cars and a growing pool of pre-owned models returning to dealer lots helped drive demand.

A record 47,862 used EVs changed hands last month, up 12.3% from August and 21.2% from a year earlier, according to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor. It’s a glimmer of hope after the end of federal tax credits last September and the recent rollback of fuel economy norms that hamstrung the sales of new EVs.

It also captures the broader affordability crisis in the auto industry. Not everyone can spend on a new electric car, whose average transaction price was $55,842 in September, according to Cox. Although more affordable models are now on sale, like the Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and the Kia EV3. However, sales of both the Bolt and Leaf have been lackluster. Chevy sold 3,866 Bolts in Q3, whereas Nissan only sold 634 Leafs, per Cox.

Nissan Ariya

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However, the influx of used models is now making EV ownership possible for a broader group of buyers. Many of these models are larger and more practical crossovers like the Tesla Model Y and Chevy Equinox EV that U.S. buyers gravitate towards more than smaller models. This supply of incoming trade-ins and off-lease vehicles is giving shoppers more models and price points to choose from, per Cox.

The affordability equation is improving, albeit gradually, Cox said. The average listed price of a used EV fell 1.8% from August to $36,767 in September. That was still 6.2%, or $2,137, more than the average gas car. But the gap narrowed from $2,692 a month earlier, bringing used EVs closer to price parity with their combustion counterparts.

Tesla continued to lead the used EV market, while Ford and Chevy also posted strong gains. Used sales rose 21.3% for Chevy and 17.1% for Ford month over month. Among individual models, the Nissan Ariya and Chevy Equinox EV saw sales jump 42.5% and 41.9%, respectively. The Chevy Blazer EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV9, and Tesla Model Y also had strong demand among used EVs.

Chevy Equinox EV LT

Photo by: Motor1.com

Another encouraging sign was how much time used models were sitting on dealer lots. Used EV supply fell to 35 days in September, down 16.7% from August. The comparable figure for gas and other non-EVs was 46 days, suggesting used EVs were moving relatively quickly through the market.

That said, the contrast with new EVs is pretty striking. New EV sales fell 40.7% year over year in September to an estimated 86,632 units, although their share of new-car sales edged up to 6.5% as the broader market contracted.

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The report added that the used market isn't big enough to offset that decline on its own, and EVs still carry a price premium. But a record market share suggests more shoppers are finding electric cars worth considering when they don't have to spend a fortune on them.

Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com