The used electric vehicle market is showing signs of a major turnaround. After years of steep depreciation and fluctuating demand, secondhand EV prices are climbing, and buyers are purchasing electric cars faster than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
However, one of the biggest surprises in the latest market data is that Tesla isn’t leading the used EV sales race. Instead, models from Audi, Toyota, Lexus, and Honda are attracting buyers more quickly, while some of Tesla’s most popular vehicles are among the biggest gainers in used-car prices.
According to a new study from iSeeCars, used electric vehicle prices increased 9.8% between September 2025 and September 2026. That’s significantly higher than the price growth recorded for hybrids and gasoline-powered vehicles.
The research analyzed more than 1.5 million used vehicles between one and five years old, providing a useful snapshot of how consumer demand is changing across different powertrain categories.
Used Electric Cars Are Now More Expensive Than Gasoline Cars
For several years, used electric vehicles were generally cheaper than comparable gasoline-powered cars, largely because of depreciation, changing incentives, and concerns about battery life and resale values.
That trend has now reversed.
The average asking price of a used EV reached $32,533 in September 2026, compared with $31,954 for a gasoline-powered vehicle. This means electric cars now cost approximately $579 more than gas cars on the used market.
The difference is particularly interesting when compared with September 2025, when used EVs were actually $2,227 cheaper than gasoline vehicles.
Hybrids remain the most expensive category, with an average used price of $34,476.
The year-over-year price changes highlight just how quickly the market has shifted:
– Used electric vehicles: $32,533, up 9.8%.
– Used hybrid vehicles: $34,476, up 4.9%.
– Used gasoline vehicles: $31,954, up 0.3%.
The numbers suggest that demand for secondhand electric vehicles has strengthened considerably. Higher gasoline prices may be contributing to the trend, as buyers increasingly consider the potential savings associated with electric driving.
The recovery also follows a difficult period for the used EV market after the loss of federal incentives affected demand and resale values.
Used EVs Are Selling Nearly Two Weeks Faster Than Gas Cars
Rising prices are only part of the story. Used electric vehicles are also spending considerably less time on dealer lots.
In September 2026, the average used EV took 41.9 days to sell. That’s down from 46.6 days during the same month in 2025.
Gasoline-powered vehicles experienced the opposite trend. Their average selling time increased from 45.7 days to 54.8 days.
Used hybrids averaged 48.6 days on the market.
This means used electric vehicles are now selling almost 13 days faster than gasoline cars, a significant reversal from the previous year.
The change suggests that shoppers are becoming more comfortable with buying secondhand EVs. It also indicates that the combination of lower ownership costs, improved availability, and more attractive used-car pricing may be helping electric vehicles reach a broader audience.
However, demand is far from equal across every electric vehicle manufacturer and model.
Audi, Toyota and Lexus Are Outselling Tesla in Used EV Turnover
Despite Tesla’s strong performance in used-car price appreciation, the fastest-selling electric vehicles come from several competing manufacturers.
The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron leads the used EV rankings, taking an average of just 29.8 days to find a buyer.
Toyota’s bZ4X follows at 33.3 days, while the Lexus RZ 300e averages 34.3 days.
Other strong performers include the Honda Prologue and the standard Audi Q4 e-tron.
Some of the fastest-selling used electric vehicles include:
– Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron: 29.8 days.
– Toyota bZ4X: 33.3 days.
– Lexus RZ 300e: 34.3 days.
– Honda Prologue: 35.0 days.
– Audi Q4 e-tron: 35.8 days.
The Kia EV6, BMW i4, and Chevrolet Equinox EV also perform well, with average selling times of approximately 36.7 days.
The results are particularly interesting because Tesla does not appear among the top 10 fastest-selling used EVs in the reported rankings.
That doesn’t mean Tesla vehicles are struggling to attract buyers. Rather, the data suggests that other manufacturers are currently outperforming Tesla in terms of how quickly their used electric models find new owners.
Tesla Used-Car Prices Are Climbing Faster Than Most Rivals
While Tesla isn’t leading the fastest-selling rankings, the company is experiencing some of the strongest price increases in the secondhand market.
Three Tesla models rank among the five used vehicles with the largest year-over-year price increases.
The Model S recorded an impressive 22.5% increase, bringing its average used price to $57,862.
The Model X followed with an 18% increase, reaching an average of $61,309. Meanwhile, the Model 3 increased by 15.4%, with an average used price of $28,931.
These figures suggest that demand for used Teslas has recovered considerably from the depreciation pressure experienced in previous years.
The Model 3 remains particularly interesting because its average used price is below the overall used EV average of $32,533.
For buyers looking for an established electric vehicle with a familiar charging ecosystem, the Model 3 continues to be an important option in the secondhand market.
Still, higher asking prices don’t necessarily mean every Tesla is selling quickly. The available study shows that other brands are currently leading the fastest-selling EV rankings.
Large Electric SUVs and Pickups Are Taking Longer to Sell
Not every used electric vehicle is benefiting from the stronger market conditions.
The data reveals a noticeable difference between smaller electric crossovers and larger, more expensive electric SUVs and pickup trucks.
While compact and midsize electric crossovers are among the fastest-selling models, several large electric vehicles are spending considerably longer on dealer lots.
The Cadillac Escalade IQ is the slowest-selling used EV in the study, requiring an average of 128.7 days to find a buyer.
The GMC Sierra EV takes 93.2 days, while the Chevrolet Silverado EV averages 89.1 days.
Other slower-selling models include the GMC Hummer EV SUV, Volvo EX90, and electric Dodge Charger.
The contrast suggests that buyers in the used EV market may be prioritizing affordability and practicality over size and luxury.
A relatively affordable electric crossover can appeal to a much wider group of shoppers than a large electric pickup carrying a considerably higher price tag.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV provides a good example. It averages just 36.7 days on the market, compared with 89.1 days for the Silverado EV.
That difference highlights how strongly vehicle pricing and segment demand can influence the secondhand electric vehicle market.
What the Used EV Market Recovery Means for Buyers
The latest figures offer encouraging signs for the electric vehicle industry, particularly after several years of uncertainty surrounding used EV depreciation.
Higher resale values could help improve confidence among new EV buyers, who often consider depreciation when deciding whether to purchase an electric vehicle.
A stronger secondhand market could also make electric vehicles more attractive to leasing companies, fleet operators, and dealerships.
However, buyers should not assume that every used EV is a good investment simply because average prices are increasing.
Battery health, remaining warranty coverage, charging speed, real-world driving range, software updates, and the vehicle’s service history remain important considerations when purchasing a secondhand electric car.
It is also worth remembering that the iSeeCars figures represent average asking prices, rather than confirmed final transaction prices.
The differences between individual models can be substantial, meaning shoppers should compare specific vehicles rather than relying exclusively on overall market averages.
