• Almost half of dealers (48%) believe the government’s new electric car grants will provide a “useful boost” for the sector
• 43% say anything that makes electric cars more accessible is a good idea, and 27% that it is positive the scheme favours UK-built cars
• However, 40% think access to chargers is a bigger problem for electric cars than affordability, September’s new Startline Used Car Tracker shows

September’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows 43% believe anything that makes electric cars more accessible is a good idea, and 27% say that it is positive the scheme favours UK-built models.

However, 40% say lack of access to chargers is a bigger problem for electric cars than affordability and 32% that the environmental impact-based banding system used to calculate grants is too complex.

Also, 28% think knock-on effects mean the initiative could further depress electric car residual values, 25% that a similar scheme is more urgently needed to boost used electric car demand and 20% that the initiative doesn’t cover enough models.             

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “There’s been quite a lot of noise in the motor industry about the electric car scheme, with some complaints that it doesn’t cover more vehicles and that only a few models receive the maximum grant.

“Our research shows that around half of dealers generally see the initiative as a positive, probably in the sense that anything aiding electrification is a good thing, especially when it comes to promoting affordability.

“However, there is some quite widespread scepticism, and it is especially notable that around a quarter of our respondents think similar funding is instead needed for electric used cars, suggesting they believe prices need to fall more in that part of the market.”

Compiled monthly by APD Global Research – well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs – the Startline Used Car Tracker this month questioned 301 consumers and 60 dealers.