Used EV market opens up at the $25,000 price point

The $20,000-$25,000 bracket for used electric vehicles has become unexpectedly deep, with thousands of cars nationwide and ex-lease inventory filling dealer lots in 2026. At this price, buyers move well beyond the short-range, small-battery compromises that define the sub-$5,000 tier and can be selective about model year, mileage, and trim level. The Trump administration’s elimination of the used clean vehicle tax credit last year hurts, but weak EV residual values offset much of that loss.

Deloitte reports EV residuals are underperforming expectations because consumers remain wary of range, charging access, and battery replacement costs. Manufacturers and dealers have failed to communicate battery longevity effectively. That gap in buyer confidence is bad news for sellers but translates directly into better deals for informed buyers, who get newer models, higher trims, or lower-mileage examples than an equivalent gasoline car at the same price.