DoneDeal Cars Price Index: The EV Price Crash Is Over and Electric Cars Are Now Cheaper Than Diesel

Why It Matters

Cheaper used EVs lower the cost barrier for sustainable mobility, accelerating the shift away from diesel in Ireland’s automotive market.

Key Takeaways

• Used EV median price €28,825, 11% below diesel.
• Diesel three-year-old median €35,893, higher than EV.
• Petrol cheapest at €22,900, gap with EV narrowing.
• Used EV prices flat YoY 2025 after 2023‑24 drop.
• Brexit cut UK imports; Japan now half of used cars.

Pulse Analysis

The recent stabilization of used electric vehicle prices signals a turning point for Ireland’s automotive landscape. After a period of volatility driven by falling new‑car prices, reduced grant incentives, and a flood of second‑hand EVs, the market has settled into a more predictable pattern. Analysts highlight that a typical three‑year‑old EV now commands a median asking price of €28,825, undercutting diesel counterparts by roughly 11 percent. This price parity erodes the historic premium associated with EVs, making them a financially viable alternative for cost‑conscious buyers.

Beyond the headline numbers, the broader implications touch on consumer behavior, fleet composition, and environmental policy. With petrol models still the cheapest at around €22,900, the narrowing gap suggests a rapid convergence of total cost of ownership, especially when factoring in lower running costs and potential tax benefits for low‑emission vehicles. For manufacturers and dealers, the shift pressures diesel‑focused inventories and encourages a rebalancing toward electrified models. Moreover, the data underscores the importance of stable supply chains; as new‑car pricing steadies, used‑car markets can better reflect true demand rather than speculative spikes.

The report also sheds light on the post‑Brexit reshaping of Ireland’s used‑car import ecosystem. Declining UK shipments have been supplanted by Japanese imports, now accounting for about half of all used vehicles, many of which are re‑exported European brands. This realignment not only diversifies supply sources but also introduces a wider array of EV options, further supporting the price correction. Stakeholders—from policymakers to financiers—should monitor these trends, as they herald a more sustainable, competitively priced used‑car market that could accelerate Ireland’s transition to greener mobility.