Used electric vehicles are selling in less than half the time they did earlier this year at some UK retailers. EV-only retailer Car360 reports that its average time to buy, prepare, and sell a used EV has fallen from 57 days to under 30. Octopus Electric Vehicles, which describes itself as Britain’s largest EV-only leasing business, says demand for its used EVs has jumped 150% year over year as drivers look for more affordable ways to go electric. The figures arrive during Used EV Week, an industry initiative led by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).
Highlights
- Car360 sale cycle: average time to buy, prepare, and sell a used EV cut from 57 days earlier this year to under 30 days
- EV Experts sale cycle: time between buying and selling an EV halved to under 30 days
- Octopus EV demand: used EV demand up 150% year over year
- Returns: fewer than 2% of used vehicles returned at Car360; zero returns reported at EV Experts
How Fast Are Used EVs Selling in the UK?
According to Octopus EV, used EVs are catching up with the popularity of new electric cars, which have grown rapidly over the last few years. The company says drivers increasingly see used EVs as a more affordable way to switch to electric.
Two specialist retailers report nearly identical turnaround times:
| Retailer | Sale time earlier this year | Sale time now | Return rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car360 | 57 days | Under 30 days | Under 2% |
| EV Experts | Not disclosed | Under 30 days (halved) | Zero |
James Buxton, COO of Car360, said: “The days of convincing people to go electric are largely behind us. Most customers have done their research and want expert advice on things like battery health, charging and which car is right for them.
“The clearest sign of how much the market has changed is how quickly cars are selling. Earlier this year it took us 57 days on average to buy, prepare and sell an EV. Today it’s less than 30. People aren’t just browsing used EVs anymore, they’re buying them.”
Martin Miller of EV Experts described the halving of his company’s turnaround time as a clear sign of where demand is heading. He added that buyers increasingly arrive already committed to an EV, and that the retailer’s role is to understand how they will use the car and match them to the right one.
Used EV Buyers Are Keeping Their Cars
Return rates at both retailers remain low. Car360 says most of its returns come down to practical reasons, such as a customer switching to a different size of car to suit their lifestyle.
Dealers Build EV Expertise
According to the release, customers increasingly come into showrooms having already researched charging, batteries, and running costs. That shifts the dealer’s role from persuading buyers to go electric to advising them on specifics.
Two dealer groups describe their approach:
- Greenhous Group has built more tech-focused sales teams with greater EV expertise.
- Johnsons Fleet Services encourages sales staff to drive EVs as company cars so they have first-hand experience of charging and running them.
Ashley Passant, Managing Director at Greenhous Group, said: “The stereotype of dealerships not understanding EVs is well out of date. Customers have done their research, so they expect expert advice, not a sales pitch.
“Today’s EV buyer is informed and confident. Our job is to add value with expertise.”
Terry Ward, National Leasing Manager at Johnsons Fleet Services, said: “Being good at selling EVs isn’t about age, it’s about having a tech-first mindset. We encourage our sales teams to drive EVs wherever possible, so they can give customers honest, expert advice.”
Octopus EV Reports Shift Across Its Dealer Network
Octopus EV says the change is increasingly visible across its dealer network, with more groups investing in EV expertise and customer experience.
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “When we first started, finding dealerships that were genuinely enthusiastic about EVs wasn’t easy. That’s changed beyond recognition.
“More and more dealers are embracing electric because that’s where customer demand is heading. The best aren’t trying to convince people to go electric, they’re helping them choose the right car and making the switch simple.
“People are buying into better technology, better features and the value that comes with it.”
Octopus EV argues that faster used sales, rising leasing demand, and growing dealer expertise show the used EV market becoming a core part of the car market rather than a new technology still finding its footing. The company also says newer EV technology is increasingly available at used-car prices, which puts pressure on older gasoline and diesel cars to justify their value.
