Used EV Sales Surge in Q1
Follow growing deliveries of new units; prices fall due to new units’ price cuts.

Average retail prices of used units dropped about 4% to $43,400.
IMAGE: Pixabay/ArtisticOperations
Sales of used electric vehicles are on the rise as sales of new EV models increase, Cox Automotive data shows, with retail used EV sales jumping 32% in the first quarter to 42,753.
The year-over-year increase shows that used EV sales are catching up with increasing sales in the burgeoning new-EV market, whose deliveries Cox predicts will eclipse 1 million units for the first time this year. It estimates first-quarter sales surpassed 225,000 units, up 35% year-over-year.
“Every new vehicle eventually becomes a used vehicle,” said Cox Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke in a press release. “Our data sets indicate used EV sales will begin increasing rapidly from here, following a clear path set by new sales.”
Cox forecasts the EV share of the new-vehicle market will be almost 7% in the first quarter, a record.
Meanwhile, the volume of first-quarter used EV sales was up 100% year-over-year.
Average retail prices of used units dropped about 4% to $43,400, likely due to price cuts on new units by market leader Tesla, Cox said.
LEARN MORE: Fleet Sales on Upward Trajectory
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →