Used EV Exports from China More Than Double Year-on-Year in Early 2026

Affordable second-hand electric models from BYD, Wuling and Tesla are finding strong demand in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, supported by battery health certification.

Exports of used new energy vehicles from China more than doubled year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, according to industry trade statistics, as a growing domestic EV fleet enters the secondary market.

Popular exported units include compact BYD models, Wuling city cars, and Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, typically offered at price points far below comparable new EVs in destination markets.

Battery health certification has played a key role in buyer confidence. Markets with import inspection requirements increasingly treat standardized state-of-health reports as mandatory documentation rather than optional extras.

Central Asia and Southeast Asia lead demand growth, with several governments introducing preferential tariffs or tax treatment for imported used EVs to accelerate fleet electrification.

Sieton Auto reports that used EVs now account for roughly 35% of its export inquiry volume, up from around 20% a year ago, prompting expanded EV sourcing and diagnostic capacity.