Sales of used electric vehicles in the United States have increased as the national average price for regular gasoline exceeded $4 a gallon for the first time since August 2022.
AAA reported that the national average price for regular gasoline reached $4.08 on April 2, 2026, up 10 cents from the previous week and $1.08 from a month earlier. As of April 6, 2026, the average stood at $4.119.
The rise followed crude oil prices surpassing $100 a barrel amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, according to AAA.
At the same time, sales of used EVs rose in the first quarter.
Cox Automotive data showed 93,500 used EVs sold in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 12 percent from the same period in 2025. New EV sales fell 28 percent to about 212,600 units over the same period, according to Electrek.
The Financial Times reported the surge in used EV sales as gasoline prices passed the $4 threshold, noting that the average price of a used EV fell 8.5 percent between February 2025 and February 2026, according to Cox Automotive data.
Used EV prices have narrowed significantly with comparable gasoline-powered vehicles, coming within about $1,300 in recent periods, Cox Automotive data showed.
Analysts have attributed the increased availability of used EVs in part to a supply glut from expiring leases.
The developments reflect diverging trends in the U.S. electric vehicle market, with stronger performance in the used segment amid higher fuel costs.
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