2026 will be the ‘year of the used EV,’ analyst says. Here’s why

Charging an electric vehicle.
Tashdique mehtaj Ahmed | Moment | Getty Images
According to automobile analysts, the price of used electric vehicles, despite the loss of federal tax incentives for homes, despite the loss of popularity of gasoline cars, which are ready to increase their popularity fell to comparable levels.
In August, according to COX Automotive, the price premium for relatively used houses for gasoline -powered vehicles was narrowed on average to $ 897 on average.
The average list price for used homes fell in August $ 34,704, 1.1% until July and 2.6% compared to the previous year.
This price tag includes a federal tax loan that ended after 30 September after the republicans have scrapped as part of a multipillion -dollar legislature package in July. This tax reduction was worth 4,000 dollars for used homes (and for new homes) – that is, the cost of less used than gasoline equivalent after incentives.
COX data shows that consumers purchased approximately 41,000 used houses in August and purchased by 59% increase compared to the previous year.
Analysts expect the momentum, which is largely directed by purchasability, even if there is no federal tax reduction.
Scott Case, CEO of Recurent, a home market research company, will be the 2026 “used home year”.
Why do rented houses help reduce prices for those used?
Analysts, car manufacturers in recent years to carry electric vehicles, he said.
More than 1.1 million houses have been rented since 2023, Stephanie Valdez Streaty, COX Industrial Agreements Director, written In an analysis last month.
This was partly so -called rental “emptiness”. When consumers rent a new house, the latter may request a tax loan of $ 7,500 with more restrictions.
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Now, a large amount of electric vehicle They reach the end of the rental times. Valdez Streaty wrote that rental refunds and trade increases the supply of used houses and reduced prices.
In fact, according to Valdez Street, 14 used home models had a lower average price than gasoline colleagues in August.
“For mainstream buyers, the purchasability of the house in the used vehicle area is finally reached,” Valdez Streaty finally reaches. “
Best Selling Models- Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, General motors-These Chevrolet Bolt House, Tesla Model S and Ford The Mustang Mach-e-hepsis had prices under the market average in August, which shows the attractiveness of buyer consumers with budget awareness.
For example, two high-volume models- RenaultAccording to Valdez Streaty, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3 -average $ 12,890 and $ 23.278 carried the average price tag. Chevrolet Bolt Ev was $ 14,705.
Not the end of ‘affordable houses’
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In contrast, the new electric vehicle market Analysts, the rest of the 2025 and until the next year can fight, he said.
According to COX Automotive, the average new home prices in August were $ 57.245 and represented approximately $ 9,100 premiums compared to the average gasoline car.
This does not include the current $ 7,500 federal tax loan, which brings new houses closer to the price parity with gasoline colleagues.
“Tax loan helped to buy a large number of butt in the seats.” He said. “He helped many people enter the homes.”

However, even if there is no federal tax reduction, he said that there are still relatively appropriate new electric vehicles.
For example, 2025 Nissan Leaf has a starting price of less than $ 30,000.
A few people – Fiat 500e, Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet Equinox House – There is a starting price of less than $ 35,000, in accordance with Cars.com.
“End [tax] The credit does not mean the end of affordable houses, “Bragman wrote in an e-mail.” Battery costs are also decreasing, which will help prices competitive in the long run. “
For mainstream buyers, the housewater in the used vehicle area is finally accessible.
Stephanie Valdez Streaty
Industry Insight Director at COX Automotive
In fact, the termination of the tax reduction seems to negatively affect the interest among possible new car buyers, in accordance with JD for power.
According to a study by JD Power, more than half of the new vehicle customers are “very likely” (24%) or “a little probability” (35%) to consider buying a house in the next 12 months.
Total ownership cost
Analysts said that consumers should focus on the total cost of ownership rather than an open purchase price when choosing a car.
This means that a car owner should take into account not only for the pre -purchase price, but also all financial costs such as repair, maintenance and fuel.
These costs are usually cheaper for electric vehicles and Therefore, according to studies and industry experts, it can make the lifelong cost of its host than a gasoline -powered car.
“I think it’s a bigger argument.”
Analysts said that factors such as geography and charging accessibility are important here. For example, relying largely on public charging networks can turn economic calculation, because public loading is often more expensive than at home.
State incentives are still available
Federal electrical vehicle The tax incentive has disappeared, there is Additional incentives that can be obtained from public services, automobile manufacturers, state and local governments Experts, in some cases a house can shave thousands of dollars from the preliminary cost, he said.
Analysts, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island are among the states that offer relatively generous incentives.
“There are still many government support for these houses,” Massachusetts and Eco Auto CEO, CEO of home dealer Eco Auto. He said.



