11th Aug 2026 03:58
(Alliance News) - Soaring sales of electric vehicles led to the used car market returning to growth in the UK, new figures show.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said more than two million cars changed hand in the three months to the end of June for the first time since 2021.
Some 2,009,318 transactions were recorded over that period, up 0.7% year-on-year.
This followed a 0.2% decline during the first three months of the year.
Sales of used electric cars rose by 67% to 110,761 units in the second quarter.
Demand rose "particularly sharply" in April and May, up 110.9% and 57.6% respectively.
This coincided with fuel price hikes linked to the Middle East conflict, and were set against relatively weak performances last year after tax changes came into effect.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "A return to growth is good news for motorists and the wider automotive sector, with sales of used EVs rising particularly strongly as more choice reaches more buyers.
"As the used market is where most people buy their cars, plentiful and affordable supply is vital.
"However, increasingly unrealistic targets in the new car market risk constraining that supply and pushing up costs.
"Urgent regulatory reform is needed to deliver a transition that works for every driver."
The headline target for the minimum proportion of new cars sold by each manufacturer this year that must be zero emission – which generally means fully electric – is 33%, under the Government's zero emission vehicle mandate.
The figure rises each year, reaching 80% by 2030.
There is speculation a consultation setting out plans to ease the mandate's rules will be published this week.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We've made it cheaper and easier than ever before to go electric, with our Electric Car Grant helping over 150,000 drivers buy an EV. This is increasing the number of affordable EVs in the used car market too.
"We remain committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 through the ZEV Mandate – providing certainty to industry is essential to securing investment, protecting jobs and supporting the UK's transition to electric vehicles."
By Neil Lancefield, Press Association Transport Correspondent
source: PA
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