（By Observer Net, Zhou Shengming; Editor: Gao Xin）

According to multiple foreign media reports including The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider, a strange trend has emerged in the U.S. new energy vehicle market: consumers show little interest in new electric vehicles but are highly enthusiastic about used electric vehicles.

According to data from the industry service company Cox Automotive, the sales of used electric vehicles in the U.S. exceeded 100,000 units for the first time in the second quarter of 2025.

In sharp contrast, the sales of new electric vehicles in the U.S. have been declining continuously. Data from the automotive industry research company Motor Intelligence shows that electric vehicle sales in June fell by 6.2%, marking the third consecutive month of decline.

The main attraction for American consumers is the "opportunity to get a deal" on used electric vehicles. Data from the car research website iSeeCars.com shows that the prices of used electric vehicles in the U.S. in 2024 dropped by nearly 32% compared to 2023, almost ten times the drop in prices of used gasoline vehicles during the same period.

Additionally, data shows that the average selling price of used electric vehicles in the U.S. last year was approximately $30,900 (about RMB 225,300), roughly equal to that of used gasoline vehicles. However, the average price of new electric vehicles in the U.S. last year was $17,300 (about RMB 126,200) higher than that of gasoline vehicles of the same level.

The Wall Street Journal stated that there are several reasons for the rapid depreciation of new electric vehicles: consumer concerns about battery life, rapid updates in electric vehicle technology, and high parts and repair costs. Combined with the high price of new electric vehicles, many potential buyers are deterred.

"Although replacing a battery is expensive, the actual probability of it happening is not high," The Wall Street Journal noted. A vehicle owner said that, given the huge price advantage, he was willing to "take a chance" and purchase a used electric vehicle.

Furthermore, according to a data analysis by AAA (American Automobile Association), considering depreciation, charging, maintenance, insurance, and various other expenses, the annual cost of owning an electric vehicle is about $800 (approximately RMB 5,832) higher than that of a gasoline vehicle.

However, if a used electric vehicle is purchased, the impact of depreciation is reduced. Plus, the advantages of lower charging costs and maintenance and repair prices of electric vehicles mean that they can save more than $900 annually (approximately RMB 6,561) compared to gasoline vehicles.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the average cost of charging electric vehicles at home in the U.S. in 2024 equates to about $1.41 per gallon of gasoline (approximately RMB 10.28), less than half of the average gas price at stations last year.

Additionally, The Consumer Reports stated that maintenance and repair costs for electric vehicle users are about half of those for gasoline vehicle owners. Data shows that the maintenance costs of electric vehicles over their entire lifespan are approximately $4,600 (about RMB 33,500), while traditional gasoline vehicles reach as high as $9,200 (about RMB 67,100).

More importantly, the depreciation of used cars in the U.S. is relatively smaller. A vehicle owner said that he bought an Audi-branded electric vehicle for $27,000 (about RMB 196,800), and after three months of use, the car was sold for $26,000 (about RMB 189,600).

Notably, according to the "Big and Beautiful" tax and spending bill signed by President Trump on July 4th, the maximum $7,500 (about RMB 54,700) subsidy for new vehicles and the maximum $4,000 (about RMB 29,200) subsidy for used vehicles will terminate on September 30th local time.

For the expensive new electric vehicles in the U.S., the upcoming reduction in subsidies will have limited impact on sales. However, for used electric vehicles, regardless of whether subsidies are available, they have long attracted consumers due to their cost-effectiveness and usage cost advantages.

"The current economic environment in the U.S. has been experiencing inflation and high interest rates for a long time, and more and more consumers realize that saving is the most important," said a representative from a used electric vehicle dealer.

"As long as the price is right, there's demand for electric vehicles. Not everyone is willing to spend $60,000 on a car, but when the price is below $20,000, people will seriously consider it, and we have no trouble selling these cars," he added.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Net. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527142777834979859/

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