2 October 2026

What drives and what holds back (used) EV adoption

The EVolution is here

Our new white paper explores the opportunities and challenges of electric vehicle adoption across five markets, and the role of second-hand marketplaces in making EV ownership more accessible.

Read The EVolution is here ↗

Man taking an EV charging cable from the boot of an electric car, with a public charging station in the background.

The EV transition is accelerating, but the journey looks different across markets. While electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to grow, high purchase prices, charging infrastructure and concerns about battery performance remain important barriers for many consumers.

At OLX Group, we believe second-hand marketplaces have an important role to play in helping more people make the switch.

Our new white paper, The EVolution is here, explores what is driving EV adoption, what continues to hold it back and the opportunities for marketplaces to support the transition.

The report focuses on five markets where our Motors brands operate: France, Poland, Portugal, Romania and South Africa. It also looks at Norway and China to provide a broader perspective on the global EV market.

The second-hand market is an important part of the transition

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common. In 2025, electric vehicles accounted for nearly 27% of new car sales in Europe, according to the research presented in our report.

However, the second-hand EV market is still developing. In Europe, electric vehicles account for around 4% of used-car sales, showing how much room there is for further growth.

As more electric vehicles enter the second-hand market, buyers will have access to a wider range of models and price points, creating new opportunities for EV ownership.

The picture also varies significantly between countries. In Portugal, for example, EVs accounted for 18.38% of listings on Standvirtual in the first quarter of 2026, with BEVs representing 10.27% and plug-in hybrids 8.11%.

Understanding what holds consumers back

Our research shows that consumer interest in electric vehicles does not always translate into a purchase.

Higher upfront prices, concerns about driving range and access to charging infrastructure remain important barriers. At the same time, the experiences of existing EV owners suggest that some concerns do not always reflect the realities of EV ownership.

According to research referenced in the white paper, 98% of surveyed EV drivers globally are satisfied or very satisfied with their vehicles.

These findings highlight the importance of giving consumers access to reliable information, helping them better understand the costs, benefits and practical considerations of owning an electric vehicle.

How OLX Group is supporting the EV transition

Through our Motors brands, AutoTrader, Autovit, La Centrale, OTOMOTO and Standvirtual, we connect buyers and sellers across five markets, giving us an opportunity to support the growth of the second-hand EV market.

Our brands are already developing initiatives to help consumers make more informed decisions.

In Poland and France, OTOMOTO and La Centrale are working on making battery state-of-health information available in used EV listings. In Portugal, Standvirtual offers vehicle verification services that include EV battery health checks and works with partners to improve access to charging.

Beyond these initiatives, the report identifies further opportunities for OLX Group, from making the lower cost of owning a used EV more visible and improving battery-health transparency to increasing the supply of used EVs and reducing charging friction.

By making electric vehicles easier to understand and giving buyers clearer information about costs, battery health and charging, we can help them navigate the transition with greater confidence.

Explore the full report

The EVolution is here brings together market data, consumer insights and an overview of what is driving EV adoption and what continues to hold it back. It also includes dedicated country-level information for France, Poland, Portugal, Romania and South Africa.

Discover the findings and explore the role second-hand marketplaces can play in accelerating EV adoption.