Transport and Covid-19: responses and resources

New but Used: The Electric Vehicle Transition and the Global Second-hand Car Trade


This report analyses the global trade in used cars and how the transition to electric vehicles may impact it. The analysis explores the quality and age of used vehicles traded globally and maps out how they are traded from developed economies to emerging markets. The report reviews recent importer and exporter policy announcements and uses quantitative analysis, for the first time, to understand how policies may impact the flows of used vehicles between countries. It evaluates potential scenarios of electric vehicle adoption in emerging economies through used vehicle imports.

Policy Insights

  • Improve the traceability of internationally traded used cars.
  • Avoid hampering exports of used electric vehicles to emerging economies.
  • Ensure used cars for export meet clear roadworthiness criteria, including their emissions performance.
  • Develop sustainable transport strategies in emerging economies to avoid their over-dependence on cars.

Share this page