Pre-loved priorities
The importance of building up the second-hand EV economy. By Toby Poston, chief executive, BVRLA
Toby Poston
Chief executive, BVRLA
The UK’s electric vehicle transition is moving into a new phase – one that will define whether the journey to net zero accelerates smoothly or stalls in the slow lane. Over the past five years, government incentives, fleet investment and industry innovation have built a thriving market for new electric cars and vans. Fleet operators have led the charge, ensuring EVs now make up a growing share of new registrations. But this first chapter is only half the story.
Every new EV sold today becomes a used vehicle tomorrow. That simple fact makes the health of the second-hand market a cornerstone of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy. Yet today, that market is under strain. Supply is rising fast as early lease vehicles return, but consumer demand has not yet caught up. Prices have fallen sharply, creating volatility that ripples through every part of the value chain.
Low residual values make new cars more expensive to lease, which slows uptake, undermines fleet planning and threatens the steady growth the industry has worked so hard to achieve. Unless confidence returns, we risk a slowdown that affects everyone – from manufacturers and leasing companies to drivers and dealers.
But where there is risk, there is also opportunity. The used EV market isn’t just a downstream consequence of the new car sector. With the right support, it could become one of the UK’s most dynamic growth sectors – creating jobs, skills and services. From battery diagnostics and refurbishment to remarketing, retail and recycling, a robust second-hand EV ecosystem will keep value, investment and expertise here in the UK.
Fleet vehicles will continue to play a vital role in this circular system. The cars and vans driven today by business users will form the foundation of tomorrow’s consumer market. Ensuring they are well-maintained, clearly certified and properly valued is essential to building confidence and continuity.
Creating a resilient second-hand market requires practical, targeted measures that tackle barriers to confidence head-on. Through our #happyEVafter campaign, the BVRLA is calling for key interventions of financial support for used EV buyers, investment in skills and training, public information campaigns and clear battery health standards. Together, these actions can bridge the gap between supply and demand, stabilising values and sustaining growth across the market.
“Every new EV sold today becomes a used vehicle tomorrow. That simple fact makes the health of the second-hand market a cornerstone of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy”
The UK does not need to start from scratch. In countries such as Norway and the Netherlands, proactive policies have helped establish strong and stable used EV markets. By adopting similar approaches, the UK can build a model that suits its own market dynamics – protecting public investment, supporting industry and accelerating decarbonisation at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle.
Manufacturers, leasing companies, dealers and policymakers all share a common interest in seeing the used market succeed. The EV transition is not just about selling new cars; it’s about ensuring every vehicle continues to deliver value, emissions savings and reliability for its second and third owners.
Confidence is the fuel that powers any market. Restoring it in the used EV sector is not only possible, it’s essential. A strong and stable second-hand market will keep the UK’s zero-emission ambitions on track, protect fleet investment and create new opportunities for growth across the industry.
We’ve made remarkable progress in getting new electric vehicles onto our roads. The next step is ensuring those same vehicles continue to deliver benefits throughout their lifetime. That’s how we build a truly sustainable, circular and confident electric vehicle economy – and a #happyEVafter for fleets, drivers and the planet.
