Used EV prices just did something nobody predicted a year ago. They climbed faster than gas cars. They climbed faster than hybrids, too. According to a new iSeeCars study of more than 1.5 million vehicles, used EV prices rose 9.8% year over year to an average of $32,533 in September 2026. That’s a jump of $2,896 in a single year. It flips the used-car math on its head.
For comparison, hybrids rose 4.9%. Gas-powered vehicles barely moved at all, up just 0.3%. Used EVs now cost an average of $579 more than gas vehicles. That’s a complete reversal from September 2025, when EVs sold for $2,227 less than their gas counterparts.
Why are used EV prices rising so fast?
Used EV prices are rising because demand is outrunning supply, even with a flood of off-lease EVs hitting dealer lots. High gas prices are pushing shoppers toward electrics. And EVs are now selling noticeably faster than gas cars, which is squeezing used inventory and pushing prices up.
Used EVs averaged just 41.9 days on dealer lots in September. That’s down from 46.6 days a year earlier. Gas vehicles, meanwhile, took an average of 54.8 days to sell. That’s a big swing.
Part of the story is simple economics. New EV sales have fallen roughly 40.7% over the past year since the federal tax credit expired. That’s pushing more buyers toward the used market instead. Used EV sales jumped 21.2% in September and now make up a record 3.3% of the pre-owned market.
How does the price jump break down by vehicle type?
Not every EV is sharing in the gains equally. Big trucks and SUVs are still a hard sell. Tesla models have led most of the price increases this year, while electric pickups and large SUVs continue to sit on lots far longer than smaller, more efficient EVs.
| Vehicle type | YoY price change (Sept 2026) | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Used EVs | +9.8% | $32,533 |
| Used hybrids | +4.9% | $34,476 |
| Used gas vehicles | +0.3% | $31,954 |
The slowest-selling used EVs tell a different story than the headline number. The Cadillac Escalade IQ averaged 128.7 days on the market. The GMC Sierra EV (93.2 days) and Chevrolet Silverado EV (89.1 days) weren’t far behind. If you’re shopping big electric trucks, you likely still have leverage to negotiate.
Is buying a used EV still a smart deal in 2026?
Yes, but the easy bargains are gone. A year ago, used EVs were a clear discount versus gas cars. Now you’re paying a small premium. So the math only works if you actually drive enough to benefit from lower fuel and maintenance costs.
That’s not nothing. Gas prices have stayed stubbornly high this year, and that’s exactly what’s fueling this EV demand surge in the first place. If you commute a lot, charge at home, and plan to keep the car for several years, a used EV can still pencil out nicely over gas vehicle ownership. If you drive 6,000 miles a year and street-park, the premium is much harder to justify.
There’s also a record wave of off-lease EVs returning to dealers this year, roughly 243,000 of them. That means the smartest shopping is happening model-by-model, not segment-wide. Our guide to used EVs under $25,000 that actually hold their battery is a good place to start if you want to avoid the pricier end of this trend.
Which used EVs are still worth the money?
Smaller, efficient EVs with strong resale track records remain the better buy right now. Think compact crossovers and sedans rather than electric trucks. Big electric SUVs and pickups are depreciating more slowly on paper, but they’re sitting unsold far longer, which usually means more room to negotiate.
Before you buy, check battery health reports, not just mileage. Compare the used price against a new model’s discounted price, too; sometimes they’re closer than you’d expect. For a deeper look at which models actually hold their value, our EV resale value breakdown for 2026 ranks the real winners and losers.
If you’re still weighing whether an EV makes sense for your situation at all, our complete used EV buying guide walks through battery warranties, charging costs, and negotiation tactics in more detail. And if you want the full math on fuel savings versus ownership costs, see our EV total cost of ownership breakdown for 2026.
My take: used EV prices climbing 9.8% doesn’t mean the deal disappeared. It means you have to shop smarter. Skip the slow-selling electric trucks unless you need the capability. Target compact and midsize EVs with proven batteries instead. And lean on the fact that gas prices, recently reported around $4.36 a gallon in parts of the country according to iSeeCars’ reporting, make the ownership math better than it looks on the sticker.
FAQ
Why did used EV prices suddenly jump in 2026?
High gas prices pushed more buyers toward electric vehicles. New EV sales dropped sharply after the federal tax credit expired. Demand for used EVs then outpaced the growing supply of off-lease models, driving prices up six months in a row.
Are used EVs more expensive than used gas cars now?
Yes. As of September 2026, used EVs average about $579 more than used gas vehicles. That’s a reversal from a year earlier, when EVs were over $2,000 cheaper on average.
Which used EVs are the hardest to sell?
Large electric trucks and SUVs are moving the slowest. The Cadillac Escalade IQ, GMC Sierra EV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV all average well over 85 days on dealer lots.
Should I wait for used EV prices to drop again?
Prices have risen for six straight months with no clear sign of reversing soon. Waiting could mean paying more later, especially for popular compact and midsize EVs that are already selling fast.