Sales of second-hand electric cars have hit a record high in the UK driven by sky-high petrol prices.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said some 14,586 used EVs were purchased in the UK between January and March, up from 6,625 during the same period in 2021.
Used EV market share rose from 1.6% to 3.6% in the first three months of this year, while used hybrid and plug-in hybrid car sales increased by 35.3% and 28.8%, respectively.
New car sales fell 14.3% in the first quarter of this year due to a global shortage of semiconductors, said SMMT, which also boosted used car sales by 5.1%.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of SMMT, demand for used cars reflects the impact of global supply shortages on new car production.
"Electric car sales are energising the market, with zero-emission vehicles starting to filter through in larger numbers to consumers looking forward to driving the latest and greenest vehicles."
Even though there is still some way to go before the recent growth in EV sales is replicated on the used market, Hawes said "a buoyant new car market will be vital to help drive fleet renewal which is essential to the delivery of carbon savings."