There is “good and bad” for the remarketing sector in the new Labour Manifesto, believes the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).
VRA chair Philip Nothard welcomed plans for a new standardised used electric vehicle (EV) battery health check but also warned of the potential dangers of reintroducing the 2030 ICE sales ban.
“The chopping and changing of the EV production deadline from 2030 to 2035 and back again is confusing for consumers who are arguably already showing increasing antipathy towards electrification, and bad news for long-term industry investment.
“Global motor manufacturers want certainty because they need to plan and this switching back and forth is a disincentive for them to work in the UK, especially when one of the thrusts of the Labour campaign is stability of policy.
“It also has repercussions for the remarketing sector in terms of planning to handle the rate of electrification, although arguable the ZEV Mandate is a bigger issue here and Labour has made no indication that will change.”
However, Philip said that plans for a government-backed battery health check were very much to be welcomed and could help to provide a boost to the used EV sector.
“We know that used car buyers are deeply concerned about the condition of the battery and its potential for future degradation when they are considering switching to an EV.
“It’s generally accepted across remarketing that battery health checks are going to be the key tool in overcoming this and a scheme that has the credibility of government backing and perhaps even administration would be a substantial step forward.
“We look forward to hearing about these plans in more detail. If Labour win power, we look forward to working with them in the future. The Manifesto contains both good and bad ideas, in our opinion, and we would work alongside other trade bodies to add our voice to the debate.”
He added that July’s member meeting of the VRA, being held at Cox Automotive in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire on Thursday 25th July, would be about battery health checks, featuring contributions from Aviloo, Altellium and Clearwatt. There will also be a panel discussion planned about the impact of the general election result.
Details about attending VRA events can be obtained by emailing info@thevra.co.uk.