Used car dealers’ concerns over the impact of EVs have fallen to an almost four-year low.
Just one in three secondhand dealers polled for the August Startline Used Car Tracker said they were worried about electrification.
That marks a significant shift in attitudes and is the lowest figure since October 2022.
Paul Burgess, CEO of Startline Motor Finance, said that the latest result showed a growing maturity in the market as dealers become more familiar with EVs and the variety of models widens.
In the past, the monthly survey of used car dealers frequently has seen electrification identified as the biggest challenge facing the sector. However, in the most recent poll, EVs’ impact didn’t make it into the top three concerns.
Finance availability, access to stock and the rising cost of technology were all bigger worries for dealers.
Burgess commented: “There has been extensive market feedback in the last few months about rising demand for EVs and this new figure underlines how the sector is beginning to show increasing maturity.
“Dealer attitudes towards electric cars were understandably affected by the collapse in residual values seen a few years ago but increasingly, it appears that memory is fading and EVs are being seen as an opportunity rather than a problem.”
The used EV market is growing rapidly and while dealers are largely positive about the opportunities they have also backed calls for more support.
Earlier this year the Startline tracker found that half of dealers supported the idea of a used EV grant, similar to the current Electric Car Grant offered on brand-new models. Nearly two-thirds also thought a free or discounted home charger could help persuade more drivers to make the switch to electric.
