Search
A new training programme from the BVRLA, IMDA and EVA England is giving independent dealers free practical support to confidently stock and sell used electric vehicles. The industry-backed programme has been developed with support from Lex Autolease, mfldirect – the remarketing arm of Motability Operations – Octopus Electric Vehicles and Zenith.
EV Retail Ready aims to give independent dealers practical knowledge and confidence as growing numbers of electric cars reach the second-hand market.
Battery electric vehicles continue to account for a growing share of the new car market each year, up from 16.6% in 2022 to 23.4% in 2025[1]. To end of August, annual BEV share for 2026 has risen to 25.6%1. With demand for new BEVs being dominated by leasing companies and company car drivers, higher volumes of electric cars are ending their first life and entering the used market.
While demand for second-hand EVs is increasing, the industry recognises that further support is needed. Dealers and consumers need confidence to absorb the growing supply in a sustainable way that works for vehicle providers, dealers and motorists.
By targeting independent dealers, EV Retail Ready is helping to bridge the knowledge and skills gaps that may otherwise be plugged by manufacturer support in the franchised network.
Via a free-to-access programme, completed online at the dealer’s discretion and convenience, four modules take the learner through commercial viability, energy and charging, in-life costs, and the customer journey. Delegates can access the content and complete the assessments at a time and pace that work for them, with the full programme expected to take up to two hours per individual.
Upon completing the course, the individual will be officially credited to help give customers the confidence they seek when searching for their next car. Dealerships can receive wider accreditation when all consumer-facing staff have completed the programme.
In addition to the programme’s training materials, EV Retail Ready users can access the ClearWatt
EV Explorer, providing vehicle-specific information on areas including batteries, charging and
real-world range. The tool is designed to help dealership teams better understand how electric vehicles perform beyond headline laboratory figures, giving them a practical and consistent source of information when answering customer questions.
Toby Poston, BVRLA chief executive, said: “Independent dealers are a fundamental part of the transition to electric vehicles. More EVs are entering the used market every month and we need to make sure businesses across the sector have the confidence and knowledge to sell them successfully.
“EV Retail Ready offers independent dealers free access to practical support. The industry has come together because a healthy used EV market benefits everyone; fleets, dealers and, ultimately, motorists looking for an affordable route into electric driving.”
The initiative brings together organisations representing different parts of the vehicle lifecycle, from the leasing companies and fleets driving demand for new EVs, through to independent dealers and the drivers ultimately buying them.
Gareth Angove, Head of Business at the IMDA said: ““The IMDA is delighted to be involved in EV Retail Ready. Independent dealers now have a free tool that helps them understand EVs, sell them with confidence, and give customers the reassurance they’re looking for.”
Vicky Edmonds, CEO, EVA England, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with the BVRLA and other important voices in the sector to deliver the EV Retail Ready scheme. The showroom is often a new EV driver's first point of contact and where they go for advice on whether this is the right car for them. They need reassurance from salespeople who understand these cars. This free training programme will provide much needed support to independent dealers to help them do that.
"Our 2026 nationwide driver survey found that around a third of drivers had a positive handover experience. But 1 in 10 still rated their handover experience as poor or very poor, highlighting that consistency and education remain important.”
The course will be available free of charge to independent dealers. Registration is available via the IMDA website, through which dealers will be able to access and complete the programme.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Additional quotes from supporters
Patrick Cresswell, Co-founder and managing director, ClearWatt:
“Electric vehicles introduce a new set of questions for retailers and customers. Official range figures are useful for comparing vehicles on a consistent basis, but they were never designed to tell somebody exactly what they should expect in everyday driving.
“Real-world performance can vary with factors such as temperature, driving conditions and vehicle specification, and for used EVs it can also evolve over time. “By making ClearWatt’s EV data available through Retail Ready, we can help dealership teams make sense of that complexity and have more informed, confident conversations with customers.”
Paul Hyne, Commercial Director, Lloyds Banking Group Transport:
“We're pleased to be supporting the BVRLA independent used dealer education programme that launches this week. It's no secret that used EVs have struggled in recent times and in part this may be due to a lack of understanding and nervousness from some dealers to stock them.
“We're hoping that the launch of this programme will break down many of the myths that exist and will provide much needed clarity and guidance for independent dealers to give them the confidence to not only stock EVs but to provide customers with the confidence to buy them.”
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO, Octopus Electric Vehicles
“Used EVs are quickly becoming a mainstream route into electric driving, but confidence needs to keep pace with supply. Independent dealers are crucial to making that happen. Giving them the knowledge to answer customers’ questions and bust the myths around EVs will make it easier for more people to make the switch – and help make electric driving more affordable.”
[1] SMMT annual registration data. Published January 2023, January 2026 and September 2026
