Used electric vehicle sales are accelerating across Europe as soaring petrol prices linked to the war in Iran push consumers to reconsider the cost of driving combustion-engine cars.
Online automotive marketplaces and used-car retailers across the region told Reuters that demand for second-hand EVs has climbed sharply in recent weeks, suggesting that higher fuel costs are already influencing consumer behavior. Analysts say the trend is particularly visible in the used-car market, where electric vehicles are more affordable and immediately available compared with new models.
Terje Dahlgren, an analyst at Norway’s largest used-car marketplace Finn.no, said the market is experiencing what he described as an “electric car bonanza.” He noted that EVs have recently overtaken diesel vehicles as the site’s top-selling fuel category, marking a notable shift in buyer preferences.
The war in Iran, which began on February 28, has disrupted a key shipping route responsible for transporting roughly 20% of global oil supplies. That disruption has fed directly into fuel prices across Europe. According to European Commission data, the average petrol price in the European Union rose 12% to 1.84 euros per litre between February 23 and March 16.
French online used-car retailer Aramisauto reported one of the clearest signs of that shift. The company said EVs accounted for 12.7% of its sales in the week beginning March 9, up from 6.5% in the week starting February 16. Over the same period, petrol-powered cars fell to 28% of sales from 34%, while diesel vehicles declined to 10% from 14%.
Aramisauto CEO Romain Boscher said the current pattern resembles consumer behavior seen in 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent energy prices higher. He said sharp increases at the pump tend to leave a lasting impression on buyers and often translate into stronger demand for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The shift is not limited to France. Amsterdam-based online marketplace Olx said enquiries for EVs have jumped across several European markets, including France, Romania, Portugal and Poland. The company said interest has been rising steadily week after week, with recent geopolitical instability appearing to accelerate an existing trend toward electrification.
Olx CEO Christian Gisy said the increase in consumer attention is especially significant because EV demand had already been building before the latest fuel shock. In his view, the surge reflects not just short-term reaction to higher petrol prices, but a faster transition that was already underway.
Industry observers say Europe’s used-EV market is now better positioned to absorb that demand than in previous years. A broader range of available models, combined with the increasing use of battery-health certificates, has helped ease long-standing concerns among second-hand buyers about battery performance and vehicle reliability.
Used EVs are also more responsive to sudden changes in sentiment because they are often up to 40% cheaper than new electric cars and can usually be purchased without the long delivery times that affect the new-car market. That makes them an attractive option for consumers looking to reduce fuel costs quickly.
Marketcheck, a British automotive data company, said data provided to Reuters showed a “clear and sustained escalation” in used EV sales since the war began. Alastair Campbell, the firm’s vice president of growth, said the momentum may continue as consumers fully absorb the financial impact of recent global events and factor rising fuel prices into future vehicle purchases.
The trend is also visible in Northern Europe. In Sweden, used-car platform Blocket said EV sales rose 11% in the first two weeks of March compared with the prior two-week period, while views of EV listings increased 17%. Blocket car expert Marcin Stepman said the data point to a clear move by consumers seeking more fuel-efficient alternatives.
Denmark is seeing a similar pattern. Bilbasen, one of the country’s leading used-car platforms, reported stronger search activity for electric vehicles, with analysts linking the increase directly to higher petrol prices.
As fuel costs remain elevated, analysts expect the impact to spread beyond the used-car market and begin influencing new-car purchasing decisions as well. Automakers are already adapting their marketing to reflect that shift, highlighting the long-term savings potential of EV ownership as petrol prices remain under pressure across Europe.
