US Used EV Sales Rise as Prices Drop Near Gas Car Levels
Used EV sales rose 21 percent in January as falling prices attract more buyers. The cost gap between pre-owned electric and gasoline models continues to narrow.
Significant price declines and improved vehicle reliability are attracting more buyers to the used electric vehicle market in the United States. As federal incentives for new EV purchases diminish, the pre-owned segment is emerging as a critical entry point for consumers who were previously priced out. Rapid advancements in battery technology, range, and software are driving resale prices down, allowing used EVs to capture a larger share of the approximately $800 billion domestic pre-owned car market.
According to Cox Automotive, used EV sales reached 31,503 units in January, a 21% increase from a year earlier. In 2025, the market saw 378,140 used EVs sold, representing a 35% rise over the previous year. This growth is supported by a narrowing price gap; the premium for a used EV over a gasoline vehicle fell to $1,376 in January, down from $2,591 in December. Market demand remains robust, as evidenced by "days of supply" metrics—a measure of how long vehicles remain on dealer lots—which have been lower for used EVs than for gasoline cars over the past ten months.
