As new car and gas prices remain high, drivers are turning to used hybrid and electric vehicles in record numbers.
According to a report from Cox Automotive, used EV sales reached 42,924 units in March, the latest data available. This figure is 53.9% higher than February 2026 and 27.7% higher than last March. Additionally, according to a new report from the iSeeCars.com website, demand for used hybrids has increased by 41.8% in the first three months of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025.
“Many assumed that the recent increase in gas prices would mean a resurgence in EV demand, but hybrids have proven to be the real beneficiary of rising fuel costs,” iSeeCars executive analyst Carl Brauer said in a statement. “Hybrids are selling faster, retaining more value, and growing their market share faster than electric vehicles, although Tesla’s EVs are also performing quite well.”
The findings come as the average price of gas rose to $4.30 a gallon on Thursday, April 30, from an average of $4.03 a week earlier on April 23. Analysts say they expect gas prices to continue rising in the coming weeks as the US-Iran war continues.
“Americans will spend half a billion dollars more on gasoline in the next 24 hours than they did on March 1,” Patrick de Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, wrote in an X-post.
De Haan added, “Since March 1, Americans have spent $21.7 billion more on filling their tanks with gasoline.” “This includes today’s increase to that figure – $509 million.”
What are the fastest-selling used EVs and hybrids?
The USA TODAY Cars team looked at the average length of stay of the fastest-moving EVs and hybrids on dealership lots and their average used prices, according to CarGurus.com.
1. Tesla ModelAverage used car price: $45,920, average days on market: 25.6
2. Lexus RX 350hAverage used car price: $33,276, average days on market: 27.6
3. Honda Civic Hybrid (Hatchback)Average used car price: $29,014 Average days on market: 27.6
4. Clear airAverage used car price: $47,161, average days on market: 31.6
5. Tesla CybertruckAverage used car price: $82,708, average days on market: 33.3
6. Tesla Model YAverage used car price: $30,924 Average days on market: 34.6
7. Mazda CX-50 HybridAverage used car price: $30,540, average days on market: 38.7
8. Tesla Model SAverage used car price: $30,901, average days on market: 39.1
9. Toyota Camry (Hybrid)Average used car price: $20,797, average days on market: 39.5
10. Toyota Grand Highlander HybridAverage used car price: $52,085Average days on market: 40.1
Reporting by Keith Lang, USA TODAY/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect