Used EV buyers favour 300-mile range, dealers report

A range of 300 miles is the most popular requirement among used electric vehicle (EV) buyers, according to new research from Startline Motor Finance.

October’s Startline Used Car Tracker found that 38% of dealers believe motorists are looking for a used EV capable of travelling 300 miles on a single charge.

Almost a quarter (23%) said buyers prefer a range of 400 miles, while 17% reported demand for vehicles offering 200 miles.

At the extremes, just 3% of dealers said buyers would accept a range of 100 miles, while the same proportion reported demand for 500 miles. Meanwhile, 15% said customers simply wanted the longest range possible.

“Range is clearly a key issue for electric car buyers and, in asking these questions, we wanted to gain some insight from dealers into how used car dealers perceive the issue.

“Our research shows 300 miles is very much the sweet spot of the market but also that almost all demand fits into a band of 200-400 miles of range. There is very limited interest in cars that will travel less or more on a single charge.”

Burgess suggested that buyers often assess range requirements based on their longest journeys, with 200–400 miles providing sufficient distance before public charging becomes necessary.

The research also highlighted changing attitudes towards EV charging, with 65% of dealers reporting that buyers are becoming more interested in charging speeds than vehicle range.

More than half (55%) said customers are better informed about their range requirements, while 50% believe most electric cars now offer sufficient range for the majority of motorists.

However, 37% of dealers reported that shorter-range EVs can be difficult to sell, although 42% believe there is a potential buyer for vehicles across all range categories.

Burgess added: “Dealers feel their customers are developing a more sophisticated understanding of charging, especially that a faster charging speed can be more significant than outright range. As electric cars become increasingly common, this kind of well-informed attitude should become more widespread.”

The findings suggest that charging performance is becoming an increasingly important consideration alongside driving range in the used EV market, as buyers develop a clearer understanding of their everyday requirements.

The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly by APD Global Research on behalf of Startline Motor Finance. The October survey included 329 consumers and 60 dealers.