Grants or loans to support the used electric vehicle market is the number one action dealers would like to see from the new Labour government to encourage private buyers to make the transition from petrol and diesel models.
August’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 56% of traders would back the move – followed by 50% who want cheaper electricity for EV drivers and 45% who want to see massively increased on-street charging to make EVs more viable.
The previous Conservative-led Government phased out deposit assistance to encourage EV sales and from next April all evs will have to pay road taxes, which is also expected to further slow sales and hit the zero-target for emissions. There is also speculation that an Autumn Budget will see a dramatic rise in fuel duties to offset lost HM Revenue and further encourage EV take-up.
Tariffs or other measures on Chinese EVs to protect the existing car market are popular at 42% while the same percentage also want to see more training options to improve the availability of skilled people in the sector.
Just over a third (35%) would like to see a government approved and administered used battery EV health check, 31% an improvement in the economy to inspire consumer confidence and 23% lower business rates.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “The list of measures that dealers say they would like the new Labour government to deliver in our research are dominated by the issue of electrification, which is an indication of the deep concern they are feeling.
“It’s interesting that the top factor is some kind of direct help with buying an electric car, whether that is some kind of grant or cheap loan. Essentially, dealers think that the EV market needs some form of subsidy for consumers to be comfortable going electric.”
He added that it was interesting that only 35% of dealers wanted to see the introduction of some form of government-backed battery health check.
“We’ve asked this question of consumers this month and almost nine out of 10 say having a detailed picture of a used EV’s battery health would be an important part of any purchase. It is also a commitment in the Labour manifesto, so is very likely to happen.
“It’s also noteworthy that training for the motor industry is so high up the list. Getting hold of people with the right skills remains a very real issue for dealers, and they would clearly like to see the new government help solve this problem.”
