The BVRLA has welcomed today’s publication of Auto Trader’s latest Road to 2030 report, highlighting the need for more support in encouraging drivers to make the shift to an electric vehicle. While the huge uptake of BEVs in the company car sector is a success story and positive example of where incentives have driven uptake, the concerns raised by Auto Trader’s report around the used market and retail buyers underpin the scale of work yet to be done.
Commenting on the report, Gerry Keaney, BVRLA Chief Executive, said:
“Progress towards the government’s ambitious Net Zero targets has been varied up to now, with too much growth being achieved by too few segments. Supported by targeted, effective incentives, the company-provided vehicle sector is delivering decarbonisation. Over half of new company cars are now electric. The direction of travel there is one way. That is but one example and a raft of targeted solutions are required to bring all sectors and all drivers together on this journey.
“This timely research from Auto Trader shows that there is a genuine risk of the company-provided vehicle sector becoming an outlier, not the trailblazer it has always proven to be. Retail and used buyers face testing barriers that are putting them off switching to EVs, with not enough support in place to ensure their first experience of owning an electric vehicle is a positive one. We know what those barriers are. Confusing communications, plus concerns over charging and cost of ownership risk thousands of drivers delaying their transition.
“Intervention is required to protect the long-term success of the market and enable a smooth transition to electric vehicles. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the industry and policy makers, supported by real-world data and insights such as those published today.”
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