Car dealerships 'dismissive' of electric cars are barrier to uptake - report

A report published in the journal Nature Energy says that car dealerships in several European Countries pose a significant barrier to the uptake of electric vehicles; a survey of 126 shopping experiences at 82 dealerships found that dealers were generally dismissive of EVs, encouraging buyers to favour petrol and diesel models. Meanwhile, a separate study finds that a lack of electric models, rather than charging infrastructure is the bigger constraint on EV uptake.

 

The study, by researchers from Sussex University and Aarhus University, Denmark, was carried out across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The researchers found that dealers misinformed shoppers on vehicle specifications, omitted EVs from the sales conversation and strongly oriented customers towards petrol and diesel vehicle options. 

The study found that around 77% of dealerships that sold EV brands didn't discuss their existence with the potential customer. Most potential customers, they said, would remain totally ignorant of EV options in the vast majority of showrooms, especially where dealers sold EV brands.

 

The researchers said that their findings combined with expert interviews suggest that government and industry signalling affect sales strategies and purchasing trends. They recommend that policy and business strategies that address barriers at the point of sale are needed to accelerate EV adoption.

 

Meanwhile, a separate study by the Platform for Electromobility – whose 31 members include Tesla, Renault-Nissan, Brussels-based campaign group T&E and industrial groups Siemens and Alstom – suggests that a lack of vehicle models rather than sufficient charging points is the bigger constraint on the uptake of electric motoring in Europe. 

 

The report says that across the EU, there are about six electric cars for each public charging point, almost twice as many as the 10 cars per point recommended by the European Commission. Charging infrastructure, the report says, is expected to keep pace with the number of electric cars on the road until at least 2020, based on a review of governments’ plans. One fast charger is expected for every 40km of highway by 2020, well ahead of the one per 65km that Brussels wants by 2025.

 

Note: Themes related to this article will be discussed at the LowCVP's Annual Conference to be held in Westminster, London on Thursday July 12. More details here.