Dealers have called on the government to introduce a scrappage scheme to boost sales of electric cars.
Eight in 10 car dealers say the UK needs a scrappage scheme to support electric new car sales, according to new research from Startline.
September’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 60% believe the government should encourage the adoption of electric cars and 61% that they need to be as affordable as possible.
Also, 26% think electric cars are priced out of reach for too many people and 21% think there are too many older, polluting cars on our roads.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “The electric new car market is already supported by the government with dual level subsidies, but dealers clearly feel that a scrappage scheme would have a wider impact.
“It’s easy to see the advantages. The current scheme reduces the price of a new electric car but it is effectively invisible – consumers don’t see the discount. A scrappage scheme has a much higher profile. It’s more dramatic.
“With a new government in place, this could be the moment for a change of approach.”
Dealer voices against the idea are few, with 10% believing it’s more environmentally friendly to keep existing cars on the road, 8% pointing out that electric cars have already become more affordable and 6% saying the government shouldn’t interfere in the market.
The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs. This time, 300 consumers and 60 dealers were questioned.
