- Teslas, excluding the Cybertruck, were some of the most popular used electric vehicles in 2025.
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 jumped nine places to become one of the most popular used electric cars last year.
- The used electric vehicle market is expected to be more diverse and accessible in 2026.
The used electric car market is becoming more interesting day by day. As new vehicles become more expensive, Budget-conscious buyers will increasingly look to this Used market. In this category, electric vehicles are increasingly trending.
After years of record new EV sales, a wave of off-lease models has now arrived at car dealerships, giving shoppers more choices, lower prices and vehicles that still offer basic EV benefits like fewer moving parts, lower maintenance costs and no trips to the gas station.
These dynamics are on full display in 2025. The boom in new, affordable electric vehicles launched over the past few years is beginning to appear on the used market, either leased or sold by their original owners.
According to a new report from the automotive research company iSeeCarsused electric car options have now become cheaper and more diverse over the past few years. Tesla It continued to dominate the list of best-selling used electric cars last year, although the gap is starting to narrow.
Ford and Volkswagen Both made progress, suggesting used EV shoppers are becoming more aware of non-Tesla options.
Gasoline cars are still very popular as used cars. The top 20 best-selling used cars last year were powered by internal combustion engines, with the Ford F-150 topping the charts. But electric vehicles are gradually moving up the global rankings. Here’s the complete list of last year’s top-selling used electric vehicles between one and five years old.
| The most popular used electric cars in 2025 | model | Percentage of used electric vehicles that are 1 to 5 years old | Rank 2024 |
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 | 19.5% | 1 |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | 19.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Ford Mustang Mach E |
5.0% |
4 |
| 4 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 3.9% | 9 |
| 5 | Tesla Model S | 3.0% | 8 |
| 6 | Tesla Model | 3.0% | 7 |
| 7 | Chevy Bolt EV | 2.8% | 3 |
| 8 | Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 2.4% | 17 |
| 9 | Chevy Bolt EUV | 2.2% | 5 |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz EQS | 2.2% | 12 |
As the chart above shows,… Model 3 It remains the best-selling used electric vehicle in America. This is not surprising. Examples of low mileage Routinely trade for less than $20,000In some areas, prices can fall much lower.
In 2025, the Model 3 would account for 19.5% of all used EV sales one to five years old, with Model Y To close at 19.3%
It’s easy to see why this is the case: Teslas have seamless access and charging to the nation’s largest fast-charging network and offer programs that remain among the best in the industry. If you can look beyond the strong ride quality of Tesla cars at the start of their model year, they will generate strong used car purchases.
the Ford Mustang Mach E It ranked as the third-best-selling used electric vehicle in America last year, accounting for about 5% of the used EV market. This was followed by Volkswagen ID.4 By 3.9% and Tesla Model S At 3.0%, rounding out the top five.
Photography: Patrick George
The Mach-E looks dated now, especially compared to the new crop of high-tech, software-defined electric cars from Rivian, Lucid, and Mercedes-Benz. But as a used electric car, it’s still a great option. It offers mature ride quality, has access to Tesla Superchargers and offers a range of more than 300 miles on certain models.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 made the biggest jump among the top ten, jumping nine places from 17th in 2024 to eighth last year. It remains one of the best electric crossovers on the market, and is among the fastest-charging electric vehicles thanks to its 800-volt architecture. It was also a nominee for the 2025 InsideEVs Breakthrough Award, eventually receiving an award Editor’s Choice Award.
InsideEVs Breakthrough Awards 2026 Editor’s Pick: Hyundai Ioniq 5
Photography: Patrick George
However, this year is expected to be better for the used electric car market. According to the automotive research company Edmundsoff-lease inventory will be stronger in 2026. Thousands of electric vehicle leases from 2023 expire this year, meaning these models will now flow into the used market, which could give buyers more flexibility.
This will be especially true for those who are priced out of the new car market or are looking to avoid today’s high monthly payments, which now routinely exceed $1,000.
So, even though the federal tax credit for new and used electric vehicles has now expired, and significantly revised fuel economy rules heavily favor gasoline-powered vehicles, rest assured, the electric vehicle market is poised to remain vibrant and full of options.
Do you have any advice? Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com
