WOBURN, Mass.–Used electric vehicles are commanding higher prices and selling faster than gasoline-powered models, according to a new iSeeCars study that suggests elevated fuel costs may be influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions.
The automotive research company analyzed more than 1.5 million used vehicles and found that the average used electric vehicle price climbed 9.8% from a year earlier to $32,533 in September 2026. That compared with a 4.9% increase for hybrids, to $34,476, and a 0.3% increase for gasoline-powered vehicles, to $31,954.
Shifting in Reverse
The findings represent a reversal from September 2025, when used EVs cost an average of $2,227 less than gasoline models. In September 2026, they cost $579 more, according to iSeeCars.
EVs also moved off dealer lots more quickly. Used electric vehicles averaged 41.9 days on the market, down from 46.6 days a year earlier. Gasoline-powered vehicles averaged 54.8 days, up from 45.7 days. Hybrids averaged 48.6 days, a slight improvement from 49.2 days.
Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars, said higher gasoline prices likely helped strengthen interest in used EVs, along with a recovery in demand after federal incentives expired a year earlier. The study does not establish that fuel prices alone caused the shift.
Wide Differences by Model
The study also found significant differences in how quickly individual vehicles sold. The Lexus IS 500 was the fastest-selling used model overall, averaging 24.3 days on the market. The Audi A4 Allroad followed at 29.5 days, and the electric Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron averaged 29.8 days.
Three electric models — the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ 300e — ranked among the 10 fastest-selling used vehicles.
At the other end of the market, the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid took an average of 154.5 days to sell, the longest of any model studied. Among EVs, the Cadillac Escalade IQ was slowest at 128.7 days, followed by the GMC Sierra EV at 93.2 days and Chevrolet Silverado EV at 89.1 days.
Prices Reverse Earlier Declines
According to iSeeCars, used EV prices declined year over year during the first three months of 2026 before turning positive in April. September marked the sixth consecutive month of annual price gains, although the 9.8% increase was slightly below August’s 10.3%.
The findings suggest that demand for used electric vehicles has improved overall, but buyers’ preferences continue to vary considerably by model, with some larger electric trucks and SUVs taking substantially longer to sell.
