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'Almost impossible to sell used electric vehicles': EVs make up less than 2% of used car sales across European countries
A report by independent European outlet Euractiv explained that the largest electric vehicle markets in the European Union have not seen anywhere near the expected numbers for a secondhand, used-car market.
In Germany, which has the most electric vehicles on the continent, used EVs only make up 1.58% of new ownership registrations as of November 2023. This is an increase over 1.23% in 2022.
The figure comes from a group representing German car dealers (ZDK), while other industry groups from Italian and Spanish markets reportedly place their used EV registration rates at less than 1%.
Friedrich Trosse, the general secretary of AECDR, a trade association of European car dealers, said that gas-powered vehicles are the safer option in the eyes of the consumer.
"The situation everywhere in Europe is pretty much the same. To say it very clearly, it’s almost impossible to sell used electric vehicles,” Trosse claimed. The car dealer representative also tacked on to the issue of electric cars being too expensive.
"Specifically the small cars, if they exist, are incredibly expensive, much more expensive than their [internal combustion engine] alternative."
There is a "lack of trustful and aligned data" said Philippe Vangeel, AVERE secretary general.
Vangeel noted that there should be an increase of electric vehicle purchases in Europe when governments force consumers' hand through low-emission zones.
“Many people want the government to protect the consumer. A much more urgent problem is to protect the consumer from the government.”
― Milton Friedman
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