In light of the UK Government’s announcement of economic support to assist latest automobile buyers select a zero emission vehicle, typically an electrical automobile, evidently the chance to strengthen confidence in used EVs has been missed, suggests the BVRLA’s director of policy and public affairs Thomas McLellan.
Are used EVs and their buyers forgotten?
Everyone seems to be talking in regards to the latest Electric Automotive Grant, with generous funding levels (over 10% of their value) for a set band of cars.
While I’m sure all parts of the market will welcome more retail customers willing to make the jump to EVs, because the ZEV Mandate ramps up, it entirely misses an important aspect of this transition – the used EV market and its buyers.
While many latest EVs are indeed costlier than many latest ICE cars, there are really well-priced, incredible EVs in the marketplace right away – within the used market. Just on Sunday, DfT press releases highlighted how two in five used EVs are under £20,000.
If we would like to open up the transition, making it fair, really boosting consumer sentiment, then we want motion within the space where most individuals actually buy their vehicles and where it should be hardest to vary people’s minds.
It’s great that latest EVs get more support, but I cannot help but be upset that there was no link to utilized in the Electric Automotive Grant.
After all, some direct used grant would have been most welcome, but access to the scheme might have been linked to the automobile having a battery health certificate or that OEMs develop specific used EV approved programmes or commit to a dealer training and support programmes for used EVs.
For gratis, the used market might have been helped, and any argument that these would have made conditionality too complex will wilt within the face of the system that has been rolled out.
The BVRLA will keep pushing on what we see because the critical issue, and I hope this grant doesn’t impact RVs and erode customer advantages. Let’s hope swarms of retail customers encouraged by the news reach out to dealers and plenty of wash into the more cost-effective used EV categories and find a shocking deal for his or her next motor.
Writer: Thomas McLellan, director of policy and public affairs, BVRLA
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
