Key Takeaways
- Opting for a used EV instead of a used gas car saves between $160 and $200 a month at the gas pump. Share this
- Used EVs are often cheaper or close to price parity with equivalent used gas cars in our analysis, meaning drivers can start saving from the moment they get behind the wheel. Share this
- Electric vehicles simply don’t wear out the same way gas cars do, resulting in lower maintenance and repair bills. Analysis has shown that EV maintenance costs are roughly half those of a gas car. Share this
- Despite common narratives, battery replacements in modern EVs are very rare (just 0.3% for EVs from model year 2022 onward) and are usually covered under warranty. Share this
- Of Canadians inclined to buy a used car, 60% would consider going electric, with 64% willing to spend between $10,000 and $30,000. Share this
- Our analysis of Canada’s used EV market reveals a wide range of vehicles available within that price range. However, 92% of used EV listings are located in B.C., Quebec, and Ontario, even though those provinces account for just 75% of the country’s population. B.C. and Quebec, by far, have the highest listings per capita. They also have the longest-running supportive EV policies, including rebates for new EVs and regulations designed to attract more models to the market, underscoring the role of new EV policy in building a robust used market. Share this
- The vast majority (75%) of used EVs on the market across Canada are model years 2022 and newer, offering modern battery technology and the benefits that come with it. Share this
- That doesn’t mean older EVs won’t suit some drivers. When purchasing a used EV, it’s important to choose the right vehicle for your lifestyle and consider which range, charging speed, and cold-weather features best match your needs. Share this
Executive Summary
Nine in 10 Canadian households have a vehicle. That means almost everyone in the country pays for (or lives with someone who pays for) a car every month, whether at the gas pump, the repair shop, or through monthly loan payments.
In fact, in 2025, transportation was the second-largest household expense after housing. But what if you could reduce these costs, in some cases quite significantly?
Buying a used EV may be one of the best ways to cut the cost of driving. Used electric vehicles offer the same savings as new EVs, but without the new-car price tag. In most of the vehicle comparisons we analyzed, used EVs were either cheaper upfront or similarly priced to an equivalent used gas vehicle. Crucially, they can save drivers hundreds of dollars a month on fuel. It’s no wonder used battery-electric vehicle sales rose by approximately 15% between January and August this year, according to AutoTrader.ca.
Choosing a used EV comes with another major advantage: lower maintenance costs. Electric vehicles have around one hundredth the moving parts of a gas-powered vehicle, meaning there is simply less wear and tear, something that matters even more when considering a vehicle with kilometres already on the odometer. EVs don’t get oil leaks or cracked radiators, and many drivers can go hundreds of thousands of kilometres without replacing brake pads thanks to regenerative braking.
What’s more, a study of more than 3.6 million vehicle breakdowns in Germany found that gas cars broke down 2.5 times more often than similarly aged EVs. A more recent U.K. study found that high-mileage EVs were significantly less likely to fail annual vehicle inspections than high-mileage gas-powered vehicles.
Many Canadians are sold on the idea. Of the 40% of Canadians who are inclined to buy a used vehicle, 60% would consider an EV, according to new Clean Energy Canada polling. Fortunately, there is also a growing range of affordable options available.
Six in 10 used EVs on the market were priced under $40,000 in our analysis of AutoTrader.ca listings from June and July 2026, while 34% were priced under $30,000. Most were also newer vehicles with all the benefits that come with modern technology. Three-quarters of all listings were model year 2022 or newer.
Despite this, concerns about battery degradation and driving range remain common. Yet battery replacements are extremely rare. The overwhelming majority of original EV batteries, including those in older vehicles, are still on the road today. Among EVs from model year 2022 onward, only 0.3% have required a battery replacement. Even among first-generation EVs from model years 2017 to 2021, the battery replacement rate was just 2%.
These concerns do, however, highlight the importance of choosing the right EV for your lifestyle. Older EVs often have shorter driving ranges, which can affect suitability for some drivers. As with any vehicle purchase, shoppers should consider factors such as charging access, daily driving habits, and typical trip distances. Drivers who rely heavily on public charging, for example, may place a higher value on vehicles capable of faster charging speeds.
But the most important factor in ensuring Canadians can find the right used EV is choice. There is one variable that limits this for many people: where they live. A massive 92% of the used EVs in our analysis were located in just three provinces, B.C., Quebec, and Ontario, despite those provinces accounting for just over 75% of Canada’s population. B.C. and Quebec stand out in particular, with far more used EV listings available per capita than anywhere else in the country.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, these are also the provinces with the strongest new EV markets, both today and historically. Both provinces operated EV rebate programs for more than a decade (although B.C.’s ended last year), and both have EV sales requirements that require automakers to sell increasing shares of electric vehicles. Their experience highlights how policies that support new EV adoption can help build a larger and more competitive used EV market over time.
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