Dealerships embrace electric vehicles in growing numbers
Electric vehicles, stock availability and staffing costs are less of a concern for dealers now than they were 12 months ago.
According to November’s Startline Used Car Tracker, 37% of dealers say electric vehicles are their number one issue compared to 54% who said the same thing last year.
This represents a decrease of more than a third.
The data also found that 62% are enthusiastic about selling electric vehicles compared to 32% in 2024, while those who think the charging network is an issue has fallen from 67% to 47% and volatile EV values was identified as a problem by 31% of respondents compared to 40% 12 months ago.
Meanwhile, stock availability was named as a key challenge by 40% compared to 49% a year ago, staffing costs by 20% compared to 22% and premises costs by just four per cent compared to 14%.
Higher levels of acceptance
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “EVs are appearing on the used market in ever greater numbers and handling them is becoming an everyday part of the job for more dealers. As a result, we’re seeing higher levels of acceptance.
“It’s not just electric cars themselves where we are seeing improvements in dealer perceptions but supporting factors such as the charging infrastructure and the stabilisation of values and prices. These are potentially important developments.
“However, it undeniably remains significant that more than a third of dealers still think electrification is the biggest issue facing the used sector. While our results show significant progress has been made, there is still much further to travel.”
