Why dealers avoid used EVs and how Plug can help

Don’t buy into the current hype that the EV market is stalling. As CleanTechnica reports, used EVs are now selling faster than their combustion counterparts, with sales up 34% year-over-year. Price parity, expanded charging access, and proven battery technology are accelerating adoption, and that momentum will only compound over time. Every transformative technology follows this curve: what feels like a plateau is actually the foundation for the next wave of growth. EVs are moving from early adoption into the mainstream, and the global trajectory continues to be up and to the right. Electrification isn’t stalling, it’s scaling. https://lnkd.in/ek59uTB6

𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐕 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 For a long time new electric cars cost a lot more than gas models. Now in the used market the opposite is often true and more people can finally afford to go electric. Used EV sales were up 40 percent in July compared to last year. People are finding Nissan Leafs, Chevy Bolts, and Kia EV6s for way less than similar gas cars. Even luxury EVs like the Audi e-tron are going for a fraction of new price. At the same time new car prices are near record highs. The average price for a new vehicle is hovering around $48,700 in mid-2025. New model gas cars are getting expensive and that is pushing more buyers toward used EV deals. Add the $4,000 tax credit for used EVs selling for $25,000 or less and the math gets even better. Owners are not only paying less up front but saving big on fuel and maintenance over time. Analysts are saying that used EV demand is eating into new EV sales because price is the real barrier, not range or politics. So the question is simple: If used EVs are already cheaper than gas cars and new cars are absurdly expensive is this finally the tipping point for EVs going mainstream? https://lnkd.in/eGyfWDG8

🚗⚡️ The U.S. EV market just hit a pivotal moment. What's next? With federal tax credits for new and used EVs officially sunset as of September 30th, we saw a final surge in sales: up 17.7% for new and a staggering 59% for used EVs in August alone. Dealerships raced to clear inventory, and consumers rushed to capture incentives before they disappeared. Now, the industry is bracing for impact. Some predict a slowdown in EV adoption, while others expect steady growth driven by long-term consumer interest and evolving OEM strategies. As Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions puts it, “We’re not going to see the astronomical growth we saw over the past few years, but we’re going to see some growth come back.” From my vantage point in connected car quality and product management, this shift highlights the need for agility in EV strategy—balancing policy, consumer behavior, and supply chain realities. Whether you're in product, quality, or fleet strategy, the road ahead calls for sharper pivots and smarter forecasting. Want to discuss your teams strategy or your perspective? Let’s connect. https://lnkd.in/eBs8VVrm #EVstrategy #AutomotiveLeadership #ProductManagement #QualityEngineering #ConnectedCar #Electrification #OEMstrategy #TaxCredits #MobilityInnovation

The After-Sales bust is coming for Automotive dealerships and OEMs. Who will turn it into a breakthrough?. While customers benefit from lower running costs and improved sustainability, dealers face a new reality: fewer service revenues, volatile residual values, and high risks once EVs fall out of warranty. What does this mean for the industry? 1) After-Sales margins that once delivered 30–90% profit will decline by billions by 2030 2) Battery health becomes the key uncertainty in used-car markets 3) Recycling and second-life use open up new value pools, but require early partnerships and know-how The opportunity lies in moving beyond the old “repair shop” model. Dealers can evolve into mobility and energy advisors, offering charging infrastructure, battery lifecycle solutions, and data-driven services. The enabler: digital tools. Predictive analytics, standardized battery diagnostics, and digital vehicle passports can turn today’s risks into tomorrow’s trust and growth. Electromobility is not just about replacing engines with batteries. It is about rethinking the entire dealer model, building resilience, and creating new revenue streams. Those who embrace data, agility, and ecosystem thinking will lead the transformation. The article about this topic of my colleague Basim Alptekin is in the comments. It's definitely worth reading. Do you see dealerships becoming the new mobility and energy hubs? How do you see this shift playing out? #Automotive #Electromobility #Dealerships #AfterSales #Mobility

🔌⚡ US EV subsidies may end, but EV fast charging growth is just beginning: With the $7,500 U.S. federal EV credit expiring in September 2025, many worry about a demand cliff. But the reality looks more positive: 1️⃣ Automakers doubling down — Ford is rolling out a universal EV platform and targeting ~$30k models, keeping affordability in focus. 2️⃣ CPOs & fuel retailers are scaling up — Fast-charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, and this build-out will be a major growth lever for future EV adoption. 3️⃣ Proof in action — Wawa’s partnership with IONNA to deploy 400 kW ultra-fast chargers shows what the future of charging + retail can look like. Even without subsidies, EV momentum continues, and not just for CPOs; for retailers, charging remains a powerful opportunity to build resilience and capture the next wave of mobility 🚀

Affordability, or the lack thereof, has long been a major stumbling block for electric vehicle adoption. But with a wave of deeply discounted offers, EVs on average are cheaper to lease than gas-powered cars. All told, the average EV lease works out to $624 a month (including a down payment), compared with $670 for internal-combustion cars and trucks, according to Edmunds. Though for certain cars at certain dealerships, bargain hunters can find a monthly payment below $100. Indeed, car companies are offering screaming deals on battery-powered machines in a push to lock in loyal customers before losing federal tax credits of up to $7,500 per transaction at the end of September. The low prices are also intended to move a backlog of machines before next year’s models start rolling off assembly lines en masse. Much of the current inventory is made up of machines that were made before tariffs drove up their cost, so there’s more room to discount while maintaining some margin. https://lnkd.in/eH-Mw_Nh

Record levels of demand for used EVs in September Dealers are experiencing record levels of demand for used EVs in September, according to Indicata’s latest Market Watch report. Indicata data saw the Market Day’s Supply of EVs fall to a record low of 44 days in early September, the lower number signifies quick sales. September sales data highlighted EVs gaining a market share of 8.2% of the used market. Dean Merritt, Indicata’s head of sales, said: “Our wholesale MarketPlace used car platform has seen dealer used EV demand rise throughout the summer to cater for a growing consumer demand. It is another positive step forward for the used EV sector. “Our wholesale MarketPlace used car platform has seen dealer used EV demand rise throughout the summer to cater for a growing consumer demand. It is another positive step forward for the used EV sector.” #ezoomed #electricvehicles #EVs https://lnkd.in/gijCDQUr

The federal tax credit for new and used electric vehicles ends tomorrow. We will see a dip in demand in the short term, but long term, I feel interest on EVs will still hold. Used EVs and in general used vehicles have always made things affordable for consumers due to price point. I feel in the next 3-4 years, we are going to see even more demand for used EVs, especially those with NACS ports. The Tesla charging network is known for reliability and good uptimes. CleanTechnica breaks down this market segment. https://lnkd.in/gptqPdCP

🚗 August 2025 EV Market Update 🚗 In August, the electric vehicle (EV) market showcased strong performance, marked by notable sales growth in both new and used vehicle segments. As the Inflation Reduction Act's tax credit nears its end, consumers have responded eagerly, spurring increased demand, reducing inventory levels, and sustaining the influence of incentives on purchasing patterns. These trends highlight a shifting market landscape, particularly with government-backed sales incentives scheduled to terminate by September's close. #EV #GoElectric #ElectricVehicles #Electriccars For further insights, check out: [Link to the full report](https://lnkd.in/enJpf-DY)

EV makers brace for sales collapse Trend: Several automakers are cutting EV targets and pausing models after weakening demand, BYD trimmed its 2025 target and introduced time-limited discounts, Honda is ending U.S. production of the Acura ZDX EV, and analysts warn the end of some EV tax incentives could cause a sharp sales pullback. Why it matters: A sudden drop in new EV demand would ripple through supplier chains, pricing strategies, used EV markets, and capital plans across OEMs. Question: If your product or fleet plans depend on EV adoption, how would you hedge for a sharp slowdown: delay purchases, renegotiate supplier terms, or accelerate used EV initiatives? 🔁 Repost if you are tracking EV demand signals closely 🔔 Follow me for auto market, policy, and supply chain updates 🌟 Takeaway: EV markets are regional and policy dependent; build flexible plans now