Belgian buyers are turning to used electric vehicles in droves amid record fuel prices, with sales jumping 30-50% according to major dealers.

Diesel prices recently peaked at €2.489 per liter due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including conflict involving Iran. Even after a temporary ceasefire announcement led to a drop to €2.18 per liter, costs remain elevated compared to pre-crisis levels, Business AM reports, citing a De Tijd survey.

Koen Claesen, CEO of Van Mossel Belux, noted a 30-35% rise in used EV sales over recent weeks. Customers cited an extra €30 per tank as a key factor pushing them toward electric options.

Autosupermarkt Cardoen observed an even steeper 50% increase year-over-year, particularly for affordable refurbished models, according to CEO Matthias Gommeren.

Data from Indicata confirms the trend: used EVs are moving much faster off lots. Smaller models lead the charge.

A used Tesla Model 3 now averages just 25 days at dealers, half the time from earlier this year. The Chinese MG4's showroom time plunged from 207 to 48 days, while the Citroën ë-C3 gains traction.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), a leading electric vehicle maker, benefits from this shift. Its Model 3 stands out in the used market, reflecting broader appetite for established EV models amid high running costs for fossil fuel cars.

Experts caution it's premature to call this a full EV breakthrough. Sustained high fuel prices could solidify the trend, as private buyers increasingly factor total ownership costs. For now, the surge highlights sensitivity to pump prices in Europe's auto market.