Key Points
- Used EV sales jumped from 3,176 in February to 7,557 in March 2026.
- Available stock fell 38%, leaving just 28.6 days of supply.
- Value-oriented and Chinese-origin EVs led the surge in demand.
Australia's used electric vehicle market had one of its biggest months on record in March 2026. Sales more than doubled compared to February, driven by a sharp rise in fuel prices following escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The data comes from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), which tracks used vehicle transactions nationally.
The Numbers
Used EV sales rose from 3,176 units in February to 7,557 in March. That is a month-on-month increase of more than 100 per cent, and one of the largest single-month jumps the segment has seen.
At the same time, available stock dropped by 38%. In February, 8,278 used EVs were listed for sale. By March, that figure had fallen to 5,129 — fewer than the number of cars sold that month.
Days of supply fell to 28.6 days. A balanced market typically sits between 60 and 90 days. At under 29 days, the used EV market has shifted firmly toward sellers.
Used EV Market: February vs March 2026
Metric | February 2026 | March 2026 |
Units Sold | 3,176 | 7,557 |
Stock Listed | 8,278 | 5,129 |
Days of Supply | ~60+ days | 28.6 days |
Stock Change | - | -38% |
What Drove the Surge
Fuel prices reached record highs by the end of March. Unleaded 91 petrol hit around $2.50 per litre, while diesel climbed to approximately $3.20 per litre. For many buyers, the running cost difference between a petrol car and an EV became impossible to ignore.
AADA CEO James Voortman said the data reflects a clear shift in buyer priorities.
Rising fuel prices are clearly influencing consumer behaviour, with more Australians turning to used EVs as a practical and cost-effective alternative.
AutoGrab Chief Commercial Officer Saxon Odgers noted the speed of the shift.
What we saw in March wasn't a gradual shift. Used EV sales more than doubled in the space of a month while available stock fell by 38%, compressing days of supply to under 29 days. For dealers who are well-positioned with the right stock, the opportunity is significant.
Which EVs Are Selling
The AADA did not publish a breakdown by model. However, it noted that the surge was led by value-oriented and Chinese-origin EV models. Affordable pricing appears to be the key factor, with buyers focused on reducing running costs rather than brand prestige.
Dealer representation was strong across the top-selling vehicles, reinforcing the role of franchised dealers in the used EV market.
Prices Are Starting to Recover
Used EV prices softened through late 2025 as supply outpaced demand. But residual values have been stabilising since January 2026, and the March demand surge is now adding upward pressure.
Odgers said the recovery is uneven across model years, but the direction is clear.
Residual values on used EVs have been stabilising since January, and the March demand surge is now adding upward pressure. Whether this marks a lasting inflection point will depend on how long fuel prices stay elevated, but the data is clear: cost of ownership is now front of mind for buyers, and that's reshaping how they think about their next vehicle.
The Broader Used Car Market
The wider used vehicle market also performed well in March. A total of 327,762 vehicles were listed for sale, up 1.9 per cent month-on-month. Sales reached 222,810 units, a 4.2 per cent increase on February.
Broader Used Car Market - March 2026
Metric | February 2026 | March 2026 | Change |
Total Listings | ~321,600 | 327,762 | +1.9% |
Total Sales | 213,830 | 222,810 | +4.2% |
Dealer Share of Sales | - | 45.22% | - |
Avg Days to Sell | 46.6 days | 45.6 days | -1 day |
Dealers accounted for 45.22 per cent of all used car sales. The average time to sell fell from 46.6 days in February to 45.6 days in March, a modest improvement in market efficiency.
Voortman said the broader market remains in good shape.
The broader used vehicle market remains resilient, with steady sales growth and improving turnaround times indicating healthy underlying demand. Dealers have consistently demonstrated their ability to adapt to changing market conditions, and the growing presence of EVs being offered by dealers in the used market is another example of that evolution in action.
New EV Sales Also Hit a Record
It wasn't just the used market that moved. New EV sales in March 2026 reached 15,839 units, a record high. That is a 43.3 per cent increase on February and an 88.9 per cent jump compared to March 2025, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).
The overall new car market was down 2.6 per cent in March, making the EV result even more notable.
What Happens Next
The sustainability of this surge depends on fuel prices. If prices stay elevated, demand for used EVs is likely to remain strong. If they fall, some of the urgency may ease.
Odgers noted that macro events can reshape the used car market within weeks.
The Australian automotive market can change almost overnight. As we've seen recently, macro events — whether an interest rate decision, a tariff announcement, an oil crisis, or a shift in consumer confidence — can ripple through the used car and demonstrator market within weeks, reshaping which segments are moving, which are stalling, and where the value sits.
The March figures are a clear indication that the cost of ownership has moved to the top of the buyer's checklist, and used EVs are benefiting.
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
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