Asking prices for second-hand electric vehicles in Ireland increased by 2% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, outstripping price growth for petrol, diesel, and hybrid models for the first time since early 2023, according to the latest DoneDeal Cars Price Index.

The report shows that used hybrid prices grew by 1.5% over the same period, while prices across the broader petrol and diesel market rose by 1.1%. The upward shift marks a turnaround for second-hand electric cars following three years of falling values, which were triggered by post-pandemic market corrections and price cuts on new vehicles by manufacturers.

Despite the recent price rise, used electric vehicles remain cheaper than comparable internal combustion engine and hybrid models when age, mileage, and make are taken into account. On a like-for-like basis, a second-hand electric car costs 10.7% less than an equivalent diesel model and 13.3% less than a hybrid. Longer-term data indicates that used electric car prices are currently 7.1% higher than in January 2020, compared with increases of 42.4% for hybrids and 92% for petrol and diesel vehicles over the same six-year timeline.

Paddy Comyn, head of automotive content and communications at DoneDeal Cars, stated that the preceding period of falling EV prices helped establish a healthy second-hand electric market. He noted that buyers who were previously priced out during the market peaks of 2022 now have genuine choices at accessible values while purchasing vehicles that hold their value.

The index also highlights major post-Brexit changes in Ireland's vehicle import supply chain. In the first half of 2026, Japan supplied 33,065 used cars to Ireland, accounting for 55% of all second-hand imports. Meanwhile, the UK's share of used car imports has fallen to 14%, down from 95% in 2019. European vehicle marques account for 59% of cars imported from Japan, with Volkswagen being the most prominent brand.