The electric vehicle (EV) market is on the verge of a historic turnaround, which will not be caused by shiny new models, but by those already on the roads. According to an in-depth analysis by the think tank Recurrent Auto, 2026 will become the "golden era" for buyers of used electric vehicles. The combination of economic uncertainty, a slowdown in innovation and the upcoming record wave of expired lease contracts makes the secondary market irresistible.
This trend has a direct impact on markets such as Bulgaria, where a significant part of electric vehicles are imported and used.
The forecasts for 2026 portend a period of increased price sensitivity. Rising import duties on some brand new cars, significantly higher logistics costs and the natural caution of consumers in an uncertain economy logically shift the focus to the secondary market.
Historical experience shows that during crises, sales of new cars collapse sharply. Used cars, on the contrary, maintain and even increase their demand. In 2026, this pattern will be more pronounced, mainly due to the unique characteristics of “young” electric vehicles.
Unlike their gasoline equivalents, most electric cars that enter the market as used cars are models manufactured between 2023 and 2025. This makes them an extremely attractive choice for several reasons:
Long-Term Warranty: They have a long residual battery warranty, often reaching 7 or even 8 years from the first registration.
Technological Maturity: They are equipped with the most advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), mobile services and over-the-air update (OTA) capabilities.
Minimal Wear: They have relatively low mileage and, due to their structural features, wear out mechanically much more slowly than cars with internal combustion engines.
Furthermore, Recurrent Auto estimates that the maintenance costs of electric vehicles are 40 to 50% lower than those of cars with internal combustion engines. There is no need for oil changes, timing belts and complex exhaust systems – key financial relief for every owner.
The biggest and most decisive factor in 2026 is the return of a huge number of leased electric vehicles taken at the peak of the boom in 2023-2024.
According to analysts, up to 500 thousand such cars will flood the secondary market in the US and Europe. We are talking about 2-3 year old electric vehicles, which are distinguished by:
Low mileage (due to leasing restrictions).
Valid factory warranties.
A full set of modern technologies and features.
This massive influx will inevitably lead to market saturation and a sharp drop in prices, as these cars will begin to appear en masse first at European auctions, and subsequently – and in Eastern European markets.
At the beginning of the EV era, each new generation brought a giant technological leap: larger batteries, faster charging and completely new platforms. Today, however, the pace is slowing down. The new models coming out in 2025-2026 offer improvements, but they are not revolutionary.
Therefore, the technological difference between a brand new EV from 2026 and a perfectly preserved used one from 2024 is no longer critical. When we add to this the potential price difference of 30 to 50%, the picture becomes clear: this is the ideal situation for consumers looking for maximum value for their money.
The key conclusion of Recurrent Auto is categorical: in 2026, used electric vehicles will offer the best price-quality ratio. The reasons are complex: new cars are getting more expensive, used cars are getting cheaper due to the leasing wave, and the technological difference is minimal.
For the end user, this means the opportunity to get a modern electric car with a range of 350-500+ km for the price of a Korean or Japanese “budget“ gasoline car.
But to make the purchase truly intelligent, experts advise:
Check the Battery State of Health (SOH): Require State of Health (SOH) diagnostic reports or official documents.
Investigate the Charging History: Prefer cars that are charged primarily with alternating current (AC) – i.e. home charging that is gentle on the battery.
Check the Warranty: Make sure the battery warranty is legally transferable in your jurisdiction.
Evaluate Service Coverage: Check if there is a specialized electric vehicle repair shop nearby that can provide qualified support.
Conclusion: 2026 promises to be the year in which used electric vehicles will not only be affordable, but also objectively superior to new ones in terms of overall value and features. And what electric vehicles and at what prices are sold in our country, you can see HERE.