The next phase of electric vehicle (EV) adoption may depend less on new cars and more on what happens when they reach their second owner. With most car buyers relying on the second-hand market, making used EVs more accessible and easier to understand will be essential to bringing electric mobility to more people.
On 13 November, Ana Garcia, Global Head of Sustainability & Communications at OLX Group, represented the company at COP31* in Antalya, Türkiye, joining the panel discussion “Used Vehicles: The Silent Engine of EV Adoption.” Hosted by Naspers-Prosus in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the session brought together representatives from UNEP and the governments of Kenya and Poland to explore the role of the second-hand market in accelerating the transition to cleaner transport.
The next chapter of EV adoption
Electric vehicles are becoming more common on our roads, but the second-hand market is still catching up. In Europe, EVs accounted for nearly 27% of new-car sales in 2025, compared with only around 4% of used-car sales, highlighting a significant gap between the two markets.
That gap is expected to narrow as the first major wave of electric vehicles from corporate fleets and leasing programmes enters the second-hand market. More supply could bring greater choice and lower prices, making electric mobility a realistic option for households that may not be able to afford a brand-new EV.
However, affordability alone is not enough to drive adoption. Questions about battery health, realistic driving range, charging costs and depreciation continue to influence purchasing decisions, particularly when buyers lack reliable information about a vehicle’s condition and long-term value.
Research highlighted in OLX Group’s white paper, The EVolution is here, suggests that some common concerns about EV ownership are not always reflected in the experience of existing drivers. For example, research shows that EV batteries lose an average of approximately 2.3% of their capacity annually, typically retaining more than 80% after eight years, and 76% of EV owners surveyed globally disagreed that they frequently experience range anxiety.
What OLX is doing to build confidence
During the COP31 session, Ana shared OLX Group’s perspective on the challenges holding back the used EV market and how digital marketplaces like OLX Group can help address them. Drawing on research and insights from OLX Group’s automotive platforms, she highlighted the importance of making trustworthy information available to buyers before they make a purchase.
OLX Group operates automotive marketplaces in France, Poland, Portugal, Romania and South Africa, and is working to improve transparency around used electric vehicles globally. These efforts include making battery-health information more accessible, helping consumers better understand charging requirements and ownership costs, and using marketplace data to provide insights into vehicle values and resale trends.
In Poland and France, OTOMOTO and La Centrale are working to make battery state-of-health (SOH) reporting mandatory for used EV listings. These listings will display battery health percentages and allow buyers to filter vehicles by SOH, helping them better understand battery condition before making a purchase.
Better information also matters beyond the purchasing decision. Reliable data on battery condition, market prices and depreciation can help financial institutions assess the value of used EVs more accurately, potentially supporting more accessible financing options for consumers and businesses.
The panel also explored how governments, industry players and financial institutions can work together to support the used EV market. From incentives that extend to second-hand buyers to clearer battery-health standards and improved access to finance, the discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration in making electric mobility more accessible.
Looking beyond the first owner
The conversation at COP31 reflects a wider question about the future of electric mobility: how do we make it a trusted option for people who cannot afford, or simply do not want, a brand-new car?
At OLX Group, we understand that the second-hand market has an important role to play. Helping vehicles stay in use for longer supports more circular consumption, while better information can make it easier for buyers to understand their options and make decisions with confidence.
This is also the thinking behind OLX Group’s The EVolution is here white paper and Electric EVidence, an initiative dedicated to answering everyday questions about electric vehicles with clear, practical information. Both aim to address the knowledge gaps that can make EV ownership seem more complicated than it needs to be.
As more electric vehicles reach their second and third owners, the industry’s ability to provide reliable information will matter just as much as the number of cars available. Making the used EV market easier to navigate is an important part of helping more people consider electric mobility.
Read OLX Group’s “The EVolution is here” report and explore Electric EVidence to learn more about the used EV market and electric mobility.
*COP31 refers to the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
