Eccasion, a platform for buying second-hand electric vehicles (EVs), has secured €3.2 million in growth capital from London-based Playfair VC, Munich-based Rethink Ventures, and several undisclosed Dutch angel investors. The company, which operates a dealer-free model powered by artificial intelligence, aims to make electric driving more accessible by removing the uncertainty often associated with purchasing a used EV.
The funding round comes as the used EV market in the UK experiences a rapid expansion. In March 2026, sales of pre-owned EVs hit a record high, rising nearly 50 per cent month-on-month, according to industry data. AA Cars reported a more than 40 per cent increase in searches for electric vehicles on its platform during the same period, while the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recorded a 58.5 per cent jump in used battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. Used EVs are now the fastest-growing fuel type in the British second-hand car market.
Founders with a track record in mobility
Eccasion was founded by Richard Burger and Martijn Obers, who previously built Swapfiets, the Dutch bicycle-as-a-service subscription company that was later acquired by Pon Holdings. Dirk de Bruijn, another co-founder of Swapfiets, has also joined Eccasion. Swapfiets, launched in the Netherlands in 2014, pioneered a monthly subscription model for bicycles that includes maintenance and repairs, and expanded to cities across Europe and the UK. The business was built around circular-economy principles, designing products for longevity, repairability and reuse.
How Eccasion works: a no-stock, AI-driven model
Eccasion’s business model is built on a four-step process that eliminates the traditional dealer intermediary. A customer begins with a personalised intake, during which the platform learns their preferences and requirements. An AI system then searches and matches vehicles from ex-lease inventory — cars that have been returned to leasing companies after business contracts end. The platform assesses the quality of each vehicle, bids at auction on the customer’s behalf, and arranges delivery.
A key feature is that every car is pre-sold before Eccasion purchases it. The company holds no stock and therefore carries no balance-sheet risk. Revenue comes from a 10 per cent transaction fee, an arrangement that aligns Eccasion’s incentives directly with the buyer’s: if a customer is unhappy during the 14-day trial period, they can return the car, and Eccasion loses the fee. To further reassure buyers, each vehicle comes with a full battery health check and a 12-month warranty.
Eccasion’s approach is a response to what the founders describe as an unfairly negative image of used EVs. They believe a lack of transparency has deterred potential buyers, particularly over battery condition, range and residual values. By providing honest data and a risk-free trial, the platform aims to restore trust in the second-hand electric car market.
The model fits into a broader shift in the Dutch car market, where Car-as-a-Service (CaaS) — including private lease, subscriptions, sharing and rental — has grown significantly. While outright purchase still dominates, flexible models are gaining traction, driven by high vehicle prices, changing consumer preferences and supportive policies. Eccasion operates primarily in the Netherlands, competing with general classifieds sites such as AutoScout24, AutoTrack and ViaBOVA, as well as with dealer-focused platforms like eCarsTrade.
Why the used EV market is booming
The surge in used EV sales in the UK is underpinned by several factors. A growing number of new EVs registered over the past five years are now entering the second-hand market as early adopters trade in or upgrade. Many vehicles that were taken on business leases are also returning. Prices have fallen sharply: some models are more than 20 per cent cheaper than in 2022, with the average used EV now costing between £20,000 and £24,000, down from roughly £39,000 two years ago.
Improved public perception is also playing a role. Initial concerns about battery life are being allayed by real-world data, and the wider choice of models — many with longer ranges and faster charging — is making used EVs more appealing. Volatility in fuel prices, particularly following events in Iran, has made electric cars a more attractive option due to their lower running costs. Environmental awareness and tax advantages add to the appeal.
What buyers should consider
When purchasing a used EV, buyers should pay close attention to battery health. Battery degradation is a natural process that affects range, and the state of health (SoH) can be assessed through manufacturer diagnostics, on-board diagnostics (OBD) scanners or service records. Some manufacturers offer warranties guaranteeing a minimum capacity, often around 70 per cent of the original. Range should be checked against daily driving needs, as older models may offer less. Access to charging infrastructure — whether at home or at public points — is a critical factor, and public charging can be significantly more expensive.
Buyers should also verify any remaining manufacturer warranties, particularly for the battery, and ensure the vehicle has a full service history. Older models may lack the latest technology, range or charging speeds. Insurance for EVs can sometimes be higher than for conventional cars, and the selection of models in the used market is still narrower than for petrol or diesel vehicles.
In the UK, while a grant of up to £3,750 is available for new electric cars priced at £37,000 or less, this does not apply to used vehicles. However, businesses purchasing second-hand EVs can claim capital allowances: the main rate of 18 per cent allows them to deduct part of the vehicle’s value from profits before tax. Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax for EVs remains low — 2 per cent for the 2023/24 tax year, set to rise gradually — and zero-emission vehicles are exempt from the London Congestion Charge until December 2025, as well as from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and other Clean Air Zones across the UK. From April 2028, a new road tax for EVs will be levied at £0.03 per mile.
The investors behind the round
Playfair Capital, founded in London in 2013, focuses on pre-seed technology investments across the UK and Europe. It takes a high-conviction, low-volume approach, backing around six to eight startups each year, and has invested in more than 70 companies. Its most recent investment, before Eccasion, was in Otel AI on 14 April 2026.
Rethink Ventures, founded in 2022 and based in Munich, specialises in early-stage, tech-driven mobility and logistics startups across Europe. It typically invests at Seed to Series-A stage, targeting vehicle technologies, mobility services, logistics and energy within the transport sector. Its latest previous investment was in Logistikbude on 18 March 2026.
