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

The transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to Electric Vehicles (EVs) is an important part of the UK and many other countries' transport decarbonisation plans. A significant amount of policy effort has gone into encouraging the adoption of EVs, such as subsidies and the 2030 ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles. Most of these policies have focused on the adoption of new EVs. Yet 80% of vehicles purchased in the UK are purchased second-hand, and thus, there is a lack of policy and research to facilitate the adoption of EVs by the majority of households. This is important because new car buyers are socio-economically and geographically different from second-hand car buyers, so it is not guaranteed that the behavioural shift we are starting to see in new car buyers will be copied by second-hand car buyers. For example, the emerging evidence of differing rates of EV and ICE depreciation and concerns of battery degradation in second-hand EVs (Diouf B. 2025). Furthermore, we don’t know if the adoption of EVs will result in changes in new car buyers’ behaviour, such as retaining vehicles for longer, which may also have knock-on effects on the second-hand market.<br /> <br /> To address the research gap, this PhD will study the emerging second-hand EV market to understand what the needs of second-hand car buyers are, what motivates second-hand car buyers to switch from ICE to EVs, and whether second-hand buyers face challenges in adopting EVs.<br />

<p><strong>Research Questions</strong></p> <p>• What factors influence second-hand EV adoption compared to ICE vehicles?</p> <p>• How do depreciation and battery concerns affect market competitiveness?</p> <p>• What policy interventions could accelerate second-hand EV uptake?</p> <p><strong>Proposed Methods</strong></p> <p>• Analysis of second-hand car listings to identify trends in make, model, price, features, and location to understand the difference between the ICE and EV markets.</p> <p>• Questionnaire surveys to model second-hand car purchases</p> <p>• Analysis of the MOT test history of vehicles to understand how and where EVs are being used and any differences with ICE vehicles.</p> <p><strong>Possible Datasets</strong></p> <p>• A database of over 7 million second-hand car adverts from across the UK</p> <p>• The anonymised MOT test records of over 70 million current and former vehicles in the UK</p> <p>• Small area statistics on car ownership and EV adoption</p> <p>• National Travel Survey</p> <p>• Primary survey to be conducted by the PhD researcher</p> <p><strong>Planned Outputs and Impact</strong></p> <p>• High-quality research providing timely insights into the emerging EV second-hand market. Highlighting whether EVs are competitive with ICEs to second-hand car buyers.</p> <p>• Detailed description of the unique challenges to second-hand EV adoption and policy advice on how the second-hand EV market can be made to work.</p> <p>• Policy advice for the Department of Transport of the post-ICE ban world. In particular, how to ensure that the EV rollout continues beyond the minority of people who purchase new cars.</p> <p>• Data-driven innovation in the second-hand EV market provides manufacturers and sellers with insight and analysis of buyers' needs in a rapidly evolving marketplace.</p> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p>Diouf B. The Second-Hand Market in the Electric Vehicle Transition. World Electric Vehicle Journal. 2025; 16(7):397.<a href="http://https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16070397"> https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16070397</a></p> <p> </p> <h2>The candidate: </h2> <p>The candidate must have:</p> <ul> <li>a degree in transport studies, engineering, computing, statistics, economics, environmental science, geography or a related field.</li> <li>programming or data science experience (e.g. R, Python, or equivalent statistics experience).</li> <li>An interest in transport systems and/or decarbonisation is required.</li> </ul> <p>A desirable candidate may also have experience/knowledge of:</p> <ul> <li>Big data analysis</li> <li>Geographical Information Systems (GIS), e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS, or similar</li> <li>Surveys and interviews</li> <li>Economic modelling/analysis</li> <li>Mixed methods research</li> </ul>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN.</p> <p><strong>Please follow these instructions carefully or your application may not be considered.</strong></p> <ul> <li>For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’.</li> <li>The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year.</li> <li>You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, you must scroll down and select ‘<strong>EPSRC DLA Environment</strong>’. If you do not apply under this programme code, your application cannot be considered.</li> <li>Please state the funding you wish to be considered for is EPSRC Environment Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27.</li> <li>The project start date for this project is October 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research.</li> <li>Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>“The adoption of Electric Vehicles in the second-hand market: A pivotal moment for decarbonisation” and your proposed supervisor is Dr Malcolm Morgan.</strong></li> <li>You must provide the following documents in your application:</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Full transcripts of all degree study, or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ol> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants should normally have a bachelor degree with a minimum of 2:1 (Hons) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, or a good performance in a Masters level course. Applicants who are uncertain about the entry requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>One full scholarship is available in the Institute for Transport Studies for 2026/27 entry for a Home or International fee rated applicant.</p> <p><br /> This is a highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Studentship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p><strong>Please note that whilst you may be successful in securing an academic offer for this project, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.</strong></p>

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team: <a href="mailto: env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk">env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk</a> or<a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport/staff/924/professor-charisma-choudhury"> D</a><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport/staff/964/dr-malcolm-morgan">r Malcolm Morgan</a></p>