Drop in prices and lease returns boost used EVs in the US in 2026

Drop in prices and lease returns increase demand for used electric vehicles in the US in 2026, with Tesla maintaining leadership in the segment.

The used electric vehicle market in the US is gaining momentum thanks to the combination of falling prices and the volume of lease returns, making used EVs an increasingly accessible entry point for buyers in early 2026.

What is driving this transformation

• Drop in price premium: the difference between used EVs and equivalent combustion vehicles fell to US$ 1,376 in January, down from US$ 2,591 in December; early February data suggests a further drop to around US$ 1.1 thousand.
• Increased supply via expired leases: analysts estimate that EV lease maturities could nearly double this year, rising from about 5% of the market in 2025 to approximately 12% in 2026, increasing the flow of relatively new models to dealerships.
• Tesla's leadership in the mix: Model 3 and Model Y together accounted for about 60.5% of used EV sales in January, maintaining Tesla as the benchmark in the segment. The average list price for used Teslas is around US$ 31,760.

Impact for buyers and dealerships

With the price gap narrowing, used EVs are emerging as the most attractive entry point for those migrating from a combustion-powered car. Dealerships, in turn, are adjusting inventories with more recent models, fueling the transition toward electric vehicle adoption.

Summary of key numbers

• Used EV sales in January: 31,503 units, up 21.2% vs. Jan 2025.
• 2025 Total: 378,140 vehicles sold.
• Average sales stock in early 2026: about 43 days.
• Tesla's average listing price for used EVs: around US$ 31,760.

FAQ

• Q1: Are used EVs already cheaper than gasoline cars? Not yet, but the premium is falling to approximately US$ 1.1 thousand to US$ 1,376.
• Q2: How many used EVs were recently sold? 378,140 in 2025, with 31,503 sold in January 2026.
• Q3: Why is inventory growing? The wave of expired EV leases from previous cycles is increasing supply.
• Q4: Which models dominate the market? Tesla Model 3 and Model Y account for over 60% of sales.
• Q5: How quickly are used EVs selling? The average dealer inventory is about 43 days.

Share in the comments: are you planning to buy a used EV in 2026? What weighs most in the decision — price, range, or software updates?