Boom in affordable used electric cars. Due to the war in Iran, electric vehicles account for more than a quarter of orders at Carvago

• The share of electric vehicles in total orders placed by Carvago customers reached 26.4% at the end of March
• The typical electric car ordered is four years old, has around 55,000 kilometers on the odometer, and costs just over 21,100 euros
• More than a third of EV orders in March were for Volkswagen models, specifically the ID.4 and ID.3

 

Customers of the online platform Carvago are responding to the tense geopolitical situation and rising fuel prices by accelerating their switch to electric vehicles. Internal sales data for the first quarter of 2026 show a sharp increase in the proportion of orders for used electric vehicles in recent weeks.

The current escalation of the armed conflict in Iran and the associated threats to the global oil infrastructure have triggered panic in the commodity markets. The result is a sharp rise in prices for conventional fuels across Europe. Uncertainty about the future trajectory of gasoline and diesel prices has acted as a powerful catalyst for changes in consumer behavior, prompting drivers to seek alternatives with more predictable operating costs.

This trend is clearly evident in the Carvago network’s Europe-wide sales. While fully electric vehicles accounted for an average of around 18 percent of all orders in the first two months of the year, their share began to grow rapidly as fuel prices rose. The acceleration gained momentum particularly in the 12th and 13th calendar weeks, when the EV share jumped to 22.7% and 26.4%, respectively.

“The current situation at gas stations is rapidly changing how customers view what’s worth it for them. People have calculated that, given today’s prices for conventional fuels, the payback period for a used electric car has shortened dramatically. The fear of further oil price hikes has simply broken down the psychological barrier for those who had previously only marginally considered buying an electric car,” comments Artur Schwendner, Country Manager for Carvago Germany & Austria, on the current trend.

Data from Carvago confirms that March demand is driven by pragmatism. The median used electric car ordered through Carvago in March is four years old, has 55,000 km on the odometer, and costs around 21,100 euros. Customers are thus choosing affordable vehicles suitable for the daily commute or as a second car.

The most frequently ordered electric car in March was the Volkswagen ID.4, followed by the more compact ID.3 and the Tesla Model 3. Rounding out the top 5 are the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro.

Every vehicle sold through Carvago undergoes a detailed technical inspection—the CarAudit—which covers up to 270 checkpoints. This thorough inspection uncovers hidden defects in about a quarter of the cars inspected. The CarAudit is one of the cornerstones of Carvago’s Safe Buying initiative, which proves that buying a used car can be a pleasant and risk-free experience. The initiative also includes handling all paperwork, pre-sale preparation, door-to-door delivery, and a six-month warranty with the option to return the vehicle within 14 days of pickup.

About Carvago

Carvago is a European online platform for buying and selling used cars. Its goal is to digitize the used car market and offer customers an affordable, transparent, and easy-to-use service. Carvago is part of the international investment group EAG, headquartered in the Czech Republic.

https://www.carvago.com