Industry experts agree that the conditions are ripe for the second-hand electric car market in Spain to begin to consolidate in the coming years.
Although currently, according to Faconauto, used cars represent less than 1% of transfers.
Raúl Morales García, Communication Director at the association, says that this market is still “practically symbolic”, which he attributes to the low number of electric vehicles in the country.
However, he notes:
“Little by little, the conditions will be created for these products to reach a wider mass of citizens, because there will be more competition with the arrival of Chinese brands and more economic models than traditional ones.”
He also stressed that improving charging infrastructure and removing barriers such as price will be key to this take-off.
Meanwhile, in conversation with Mobility Portal España, Carlos Aparicio Sánchez, CEO of TAMSIA, observes an increase in interest in used electric vehicles.
“This segment poses specific challenges , such as assessing the condition of batteries and certifying the car’s software,” he says.
The new European regulations on batteries are emerging as a key element for this market.
The regulation, which requires all cells to include a passport detailing their carbon footprint and health status, is intended to bring greater transparency to the second-hand market.
How?
Facilitating the assessment of battery conditions, one of the factors to be taken into account by buyers of used electric vehicles.
In addition, TAMSIA offers a solution:
“We respond to this demand by providing diagnostic tools that assess the health of the battery and other key components, facilitating transparency and confidence in used car transactions.”
Importation as a gateway to the second-hand market?
According to a warranty auditor consulted by Mobility Portal, the second-hand market for electric vehicles in Spain “simply has not taken off.”
“What is observed, although in a limited way, is the importation of high-end second-hand cars from countries such as Austria, Norway, Denmark or Sweden,” he says.
And he explains: “They import them, nationalize them and then sell them on the Spanish market.”
However, the specialist warns that it is still too early to talk about a significant market boom.
According to their estimates, the penetration of electric cars remains limited, both in the new and used segments, which prevents a sufficient supply to boost this sector.
Could the DANA have boosted this segment?
The Ministry of Industry has recently launched the Reinicia Auto+ Plan, designed to reactivate mobility and help those affected by the DANA in Valencia.
This programme, with a budget of 465 million euros, includes aid of up to 4,000 euros for the purchase of used electric vehicles with a ZERO label and 2,000 euros for those with an ECO label.
According to senior automotive consultant Aurelio Suero, these apply to both new and used cars, provided they meet the established requirements.
Overview of the current second-hand market
Data from the National Association of Vehicle Sellers (GANVAM) show that electric cars represent 0.9% of all used vehicle transactions, although with an increase of 65.1% in the last year.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids registered an increase of 88.3% during the first 10 months of 2024, representing 1.5% of total sales in the second-hand market.
These figures contrast with the 52.7% corresponding to diesel vehicles and 37% for gasoline vehicles.
