Go electric for less with a second-hand EV
Choose used: go electric for less with a second-hand EV
As electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to increase in the UK, drivers in the market for a second-hand EV have more options than ever. Second-hand EVs are a much more affordable entry point for drivers looking to go electric, as the upfront cost of a new EV has typically been one of the biggest barriers.
Second-hand EVs and battery health
In research commissioned by the Green Finance Institute, 62% of respondents said they wouldn’t buy a used EV due to concerns about the battery lifespan.1
In 2023, the Labour government’s Plan for the Automotive Sector set out their intention to introduce a standardised battery health certification scheme to help increase consumer confidence in second-hand EVs. As of June 2025, there isn’t an agreed method of battery certification in place yet, so buyers and sellers are looking to third parties for more information on the battery health of second-hand EVs.
Where to find more information about second-hand EVs
There are resources that can help you make an informed decision on purchasing a second-hand EV. For example, EV Database UK has a comprehensive list of all EVs on the market to help you compare models.
While there isn’t a standardised battery certificate yet, many car dealerships now provide potential buyers with information about the battery State of Health (SOH) of used EVs, but the level of detail can vary.
Some EV manufacturers have started providing battery certificates for their preowned EVs, but this isn’t yet the industry standard. Third parties such as Generational offer a certification service for sellers and dealerships looking to meet consumer demand for EV battery health certificates. Buyers can also pay a fee to third parties like ClearWatt to get detailed information about second-hand EVs.
Installing a charger for your second-hand EV
If you don’t already have an EV chargepoint installed at your home, it’s important to check with the installer that your new charger is compatible with your second-hand EV.
If you rent or live in a flat that you own, you may be eligible for a government electric vehicle chargepoint grant, which can help towards the cost of installation. You can get up to £350 or 75% off the cost to buy and install an EV chargepoint socket at your property. You can apply for this grant if each of the following apply to you:
you live in a flat that you own (this includes flats bought through the shared ownership scheme), or you rent a residential property;
your property has its own private off-street parking space; and
- you own or use an eligible vehicle.
When you install an EV charger with ScottishPower, we’ll give you energy credit worth up to 2,500 miles.2You can also trust that your ScottishPower installer will be OZEV trained to provide the highest standards of safety and a fully guaranteed installation – and our home EV chargers come with a 3-year warranty.
1
Research commissioned by the Green Finance Institute (GFI), and conducted by Opinium, surveyed over two thousand UK drivers to gain insight into the current state of the second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market, its role in the UK’s EV transition, and what is required to accelerate the market to deliver on the UK’s climate goals.
2
The total credit amount of £60 (inc VAT) is based on a calculation of the equivalent cost of charging 833.33kWh at the average off peak rate of our EV Saver tariff (9.5p) which equates to 2,500 miles based on an assumed average electricity usage per mile of 3kWh. If using another ScottishPower tariff, the credit amount will remain at £60, which will equate to a different number of miles. The £60 will be credited to your electricity account within 30 days of your charger install. This is a limited time offer and may be withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply.
Last updated: 11 February 2026