Tesla’s Model 3 maintained its position as the most popular used electric vehicle (EV) in the United States for the past year, while the Model Y secured the second spot. As EV adoption increased, cheaper models gained prominence, leading to shifts in rankings for other Tesla vehicles.
In 2023, the Model 3 accounted for 34.9% of used EV sales (1 to 5-year-old vehicles), solidifying its dominance. The Model Y claimed the second position with a 11.9% share. Notably, Tesla secured the top four spots last year with the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X, respectively.
See also: Used EV Sales Soar by 32% in Q1 as New Electric Vehicle Market Continues Record Climb
The Chevrolet Bolt EV experienced a notable rise, securing the third position with 6.9% of the market, surpassing the Model S and Model X. Meanwhile, the Nissan LEAF held the fourth spot with a 6.2% share of used EV sales in the US.
Tesla’s Model S and Model X slipped in the rankings, with the Model S securing the fifth spot (5.6%) and the Model X in sixth place (5.5%). The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi e-tron, Porsche Taycan, and Volkswagen ID.4 rounded out the remaining top positions.
As the US witnessed record-breaking EV sales, accounting for approximately 8% of overall sales, Cox Automotive predicts a further increase to around 10% in the coming year. The used EV market is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in the wholesale/used vehicle market.
See also: Used Electric Vehicle Prices Drop in the US, Making EVs More Accessible
With various automakers achieving record EV sales, including Tesla delivering over 1.8 million EVs in the past year, the market is poised for growth. Ford, GM’s Chevy Bolt, Hyundai, and Kia reported record EV sales in 2023. As EV sales continue to rise, the availability of used options is expected to increase.
Analysts suggest that without significant updates to Tesla’s pricier vehicles, they may continue to experience declines. However, the upcoming release of the refreshed Model 3, spotted testing in the US, could potentially boost used Model 3 sales.
| 2023 rank | Model | 2023 % of used EV sales | 2022 rank | 2022 % of used EV sales |
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 | 34.9% | 1 | 40% |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | 11.9% | 2 | 10.3% |
| 3 | Chevy Bolt EV | 6.9% | 6 | 6.2% |
| 4 | Nissan LEAF | 6.2% | 5 | 6.7% |
| 5 | Tesla Model S | 5.6% | 3 | 9.8% |
| 6 | Tesla Model X | 5.5% | 4 | 7.7% |
| 7 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | 4.6% | 7 | 3.7% |
| 8 | Audi E-Tron | 2.9% | 8 | 2.7% |
| 9 | Porsche Taycan | 2.4% | 9 | 2.4% |
| 10 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 2.2% | 10 | 1.7% |
Top ten most popular used EVs in 2023 (Source: iSeeCars)
