More than half of dealers (53%) say the revised Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate should create “breathing space” for new electric car sales.
Startline’s June Used Car Tracker also showed that 41% believe the changes made show that the Government has listened to the motor industry.
The revisions included allowing hybrids to stay on sale until 2035, lower manufacturer fines for not meeting electric car production targets, and more flexible production credits.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “This amounts to a cautious welcome for the ZEV Mandate changes by dealers.
“They think the Government has taken on board the concerns raised and taken actions that will at least buy some time.
“However, our research also indicates they have quite a long list of ongoing concerns about the electric car market.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker also reported that 45% of dealers believe the Government will have to do more to support new electric car sales in the future, and 35% that core problems stopping people electrifying – such as charging infrastructure – were not addressed.
Almost a third (32%) said the revisions did not go far enough to have a big impact on new electric car sales, and 32% that Government support is also needed in the used electric car market.
Burgess said: “Our reading of these results is that dealers think the ZEV Mandate changes are more of a holding pattern than a long-term solution.
“It could be that its targets and regulations need to be revisited periodically in response to real world market conditions, and the road to new car market electrification will be more of a bumpy one than once envisaged.
“It’s also interesting to see almost a third of dealers want to see the government take action to support electric car sales in the used as well as new markets.
“While the used electric car sector shows very real signs of stabilising, many retailers are wary, having had their fingers burnt by holding stock when values plummeted dramatically a year or two ago.
“Some also believe help is needed to make these vehicles more financially attractive to used buyers.”
Compiled monthly by APD Global Research, the Startline Used Car Tracker this month questioned 301 consumers and 66 dealers.
