Demand for self-driving electric vehicles to grow
Dealers are expecting demand for self-driving electric vehicles to surge in the next decade.
April’s Startline Used Car Tracker found that 66% of dealerships predict demand for autonomous EVs to rise between now and the mid 2030s.
Meanwhile, 30% believe autonomy will be especially attractive to high-mileage drivers, with 28% suggesting it will result in less stressful, safer driving.
However, 21% expect self-driving technology to take a long time to earn driver trust, with 11% believing people will still want to drive regardless.
A ready market
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “The first trials of autonomous taxis are already underway in London and the government’s plan is for the technology to be applied to more and more vehicles over time if testing is successful.
“This means it is perfectly feasible there will be at least some self-driving cars on the used market within a decade and we wanted to find out how dealers think this development will play out, especially examining how consumers will react.
“Our research reveals a high degree of positivity. Dealers forecast that if the technology is proven to be safe and delivers on its promise of less stressful driving and fewer accidents, then there will be a ready market.”
