UK dealers call for EV scrappage scheme amid rising used EV demand

UK car dealers are increasingly calling for a national electric vehicle (EV) scrappage scheme to accelerate the transition from high-emission vehicles to electric models. Research from Startline indicates that 83% of surveyed dealers support such a scheme, citing concerns over EV affordability and the prevalence of older, polluting vehicles on British roads.

Simultaneously, the used EV market in the UK is experiencing significant growth. Data from Autotrader shows that like-for-like used electric vehicle prices rose by 3.8% year-on-year, outperforming the average used car transaction growth of 2.6%. Specifically, electric vehicles aged three to five years saw a 9.4% price increase, reaching an average of £20,351.

Industry experts note that a robust second-hand market is helping to lower finance and leasing costs, making electric mobility more accessible. Octopus Electric Vehicles reported a 150% jump in demand for used EVs on its platform over the last 12 months, suggesting that consumers are increasingly drawn to the value and technology offered by the second-hand electric market.