The adoption of Electric Vehicles in the second-hand market: A pivotal moment for decarbonisation

This PhD studentship focuses on the emerging second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market in the UK. The research addresses a critical gap in transport decarbonisation policy, as 80% of vehicles purchased in the UK are second-hand, yet most policies focus on new EV adoption. The project will investigate what motivates second-hand car buyers to switch from internal combustion engines to EVs, examine the unique challenges they face including depreciation and battery degradation concerns, and study behavioral differences between new and second-hand car buyers. The research will utilize multiple datasets including over 7 million second-hand car adverts, 70 million MOT test records, and primary survey data to understand market trends and buyer needs. The PhD candidate will analyze second-hand car listings, conduct questionnaire surveys, and examine MOT test histories to identify differences between ICE and EV markets. Planned outputs include high-quality research on the emerging EV second-hand market, detailed descriptions of adoption challenges, and policy advice for the Department of Transport on ensuring successful EV rollout beyond the minority who purchase new cars. The project offers timely insights into whether EVs are competitive with ICE vehicles for second-hand buyers and provides data-driven innovation for manufacturers and sellers in this rapidly evolving marketplace.