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A Tale of Two EV Markets
New EV sales dropped 28 percent year over year in Q1 2026 with about 213000 sold. But used EVs are telling a completely different story.
Used EV Sales Are Surging
Americans bought 93500 used EVs in Q1 – up 17 percent from Q4 2025 and nearly 12 percent from Q1 2025. Pre-owned electric vehicles are more popular than ever.
Why Buyers Choose Used
Depreciation on EVs is steep – meaning used buyers get premium electric vehicles at massive discounts. A 2-year-old EV can cost 40 to 50 percent less than new.
Models Getting Discontinued
Ford F-150 Lightning, Acura ZDX, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 have all been discontinued – making remaining new inventory and used models increasingly attractive to buyers.
Global Energy Crisis Fuels Interest
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East since February 2026 has triggered a global energy crisis. Rising fuel prices are pushing more buyers toward electric vehicles overall.
Best Used EVs to Buy Now
Top picks include used Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. All offer great range and significant savings over new models.
