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The Australian Automotive Dealer Association says second-hand electric-car sales more than doubled last month, amid high fuel prices.
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Used car sales data supplied by the AADA reveals 7557 second-hand electric vehicles were delivered across Australia in March, from a monthly average of 3339 between October 2025 and February 2026.
"Australia’s used electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a sharp surge in March, with activity accelerating rapidly as fuel prices climbed following escalating tensions in the Middle East," the AADA said in a media release.
The AADA also reported a 38 per cent decline in available supply, with 5129 electric cars listed for sale in March – fewer than the number sold, and down from 8278 listings in February.
Overall, used car sales across petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric also increased 4.2 per cent last month compared to the month prior – totalling 222,810 – although there were more selling days.
Automotive dealer transactions accounted for 45.2 per cent of used-car sales last month, the AADA said.
AADA CEO James Voortman said rising fuel prices contributed to increased used EV sales, rising to a record high of around $2.50 per litre for 91-octane petrol and around $3.20 per litre for diesel by the end of March.
"Rising fuel prices are clearly influencing consumer behaviour, with more Australians turning to used EVs as a practical and cost-effective alternative," Voortman said.
“At the same time, the broader used vehicle market remains resilient, with steady sales growth and improving turnaround times indicating healthy underlying demand.
The AADA's data does not outline which used electric vehicle models were most popular – however it said "the surge has been led by value-oriented and Chinese-origin EV models".
In the new-car market, a record 15,839 electric vehicles were reported sold last month, while the overall new-car market was down 2.6 per cent.
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Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
