Europe is not a single used-BEV market. Indicata’s 2026 analysis of more than 14 million used-vehicle adverts found that stronger EV economics during a fuel-price shock produced stronger demand, tighter supply and a broad-based residual-value recovery in several markets.
Germany, France and the Netherlands reacted positively, while Belgium and the UK continued to experience downward residual-value pressure where policy-driven or fleet-related oversupply outweighed improved running-cost economics.
In Indicata’s June cross-market data, used BEVs accounted for 5.51% of passenger-car sales across 13 countries. The share rose to 8.8% for vehicles up to four years old and 10.7% for vehicles up to two years old. Market Days’ Supply fell from 105 days in May to 92 days in June, showing that turnover improved even though BEV stock still remained heavy in some markets.
UK data also demonstrates the tension between volume and value: used BEV demand can rise while retail prices continue to fall. In June, the average UK used-BEV retail price was reported at only 55.29% of the original new retail price, even as young used BEVs represented a growing share of sales.
Trader implications
Recheck new-car pricing before every wholesale purchase.
Separate trims by battery generation, charging architecture and ADAS hardware.
Use shorter target stock days for recently launched EVs.
Do not assume low mileage equals strong residual value when a new-generation version has just launched.