What happened
On 9 November 2026 the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) published its used car figures for the third quarter. As Stuart Stone reported for BusinessGreen, electric cars now account for almost one in 20 second-hand car purchases.
In all, 2,030,619 used cars changed hands from July to September, up 0.5% and the strongest third quarter since 2021. Battery electric car sales rose 23.2% to 97,625, a 4.8% share against 3.9% a year earlier. So far this year 295,524 used electric cars have been sold, up 39.6%. Hybrids rose 25.9% to 135,204, while plug-in hybrids fell 13.3%.
Petrol is still the most common choice, with 1,148,576 cars (56.6%). Diesel fell 5.3% to 623,354 (30.7%). Cars without any electric drive made up 87.5% of used sales, down from 89.5%. The SMMT says growth in the used electric market depends on a healthy new car market, and repeats its call to reform the ZEV mandate, which ministers are expected to decide on this week (see our post on the expected cut to the 2030 target).
What it means for your business
More choice when you buy second-hand. Many businesses buy used pool cars or let staff run their own. A bigger supply of used electric cars widens the range you can pick from when a car needs replacing.
Nothing changes in how you report. A used car is reported exactly like a new one: fuel or miles for petrol and diesel cars in Scope 1, electricity for electric cars you charge at your premises in Scope 2. Cars staff own and use for business trips go in Scope 3 business travel.
The carbon difference, worked out. Take 5 second-hand cars each doing 10,000 miles a year. As average diesel cars they produce 13.89 tonnes CO2e a year on the 2026 government factors. As average battery electric cars charged on the UK grid, 2.16 tonnes: 11.73 tonnes, or about 84%, less.
What to do now
- Check your replacement dates. List which cars are due for replacement in the next year and price a used electric option for each.
- Check the battery. On a used electric car, ask for a battery health report and the remaining warranty before you buy.
- Record your cars by fuel type, with litres or kWh where you have them and miles where you don't, so a switch shows in your figures.
