Secondhand electric car sales surge

The secondhand market for electric cars is booming, having more than doubled in the past year.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the number of used electric cars that changed hands in 2021 increased by 120%.

The secondhand car market has been buoyed by a global shortage of semiconductor computer chips that has seen values of all nearly-new cars soar. Auto Trader reports that the average value of used cars sold on its site is up by 25 per cent.

The SMMT’s chief executive, Mike Hawes, said: “Electric car sales are energising the market, with zero-emission vehicles starting to filter through in larger numbers to consumers looking forward to driving the latest and greenest vehicles.

“Although there is some way to go before we see the recent growth in new EVs replicated in the used market, a buoyant new car market will be vital to help drive fleet renewal, which is essential to the delivery of carbon savings.”

The increased interest in electric cars comes as London mayor Sadiq Khan plans to extend the city’s ultra-low emission zone to encompass the whole of Greater London by the end of next year.

New internal combustion engine cars will be banned in the UK from 2030, with hybrids no longer on sale from 2035.

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