British Car Dealers Support Government's Decision to Delay Ban on Petrol and Diesel Cars

In the latest motor trade news it's clear that car dealers across the UK are rallying behind the government's decision to postpone the ban on new petrol and diesel cars until 2035. According to data collected by Auto Trader, a resounding 75 per cent of automotive retailers are in agreement with this strategic move by Rishi Sunak.

Interestingly, the study reveals that independent dealers are particularly enthusiastic about this delay, with a whopping 85 per cent of them expressing their support for this change in eco-measures. In contrast, only 18 per cent of franchised dealers favour sticking to the original plan.

In response to this announcement, about 22 per cent of franchise retailers have indicated that they will reduce their stock of electric cars in the coming years. Meanwhile, almost half (48 per cent) of independent retailers, who currently do not carry electric stock, are now less inclined to do so due to the delay. On the other hand, the majority (28 per cent) of franchised retailers do not intend to alter their approach as a result of this new policy.

sell more cars

It is noteworthy that even though dealers believe the government has made the right choice, more than half (60 per cent) of them are not aware that the controversial Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate will remain in place. This percentage increases to over three-quarters (77 per cent) when considering independent businesses but drops to 46 per cent within the franchised sector.

The ZEV mandate entails that a certain percentage of sales from every car manufacturer must be electric; otherwise, firms will incur fines. Starting next year, manufacturers will need to have 22 per cent of their sales as electric vehicles, with this percentage steadily rising to 80 per cent by 2030. Manufacturers failing to meet these targets will face fines, with penalties set at £15,000 for each non-electric car and £18,000 for each non-electric van.

Ian Plummer, the commercial director of Auto Trader, emphasised the importance of preparing for electrification, stating, "Regardless of what the politicians say, preparing to electrify your business isn't something you can put off – start now."

ev cars

Interestingly, from a consumer's perspective, the delay in the 2030 ban does not seem to have impacted the interest in electric vehicles (EVs). Auto Trader's findings reveal that interest in electric cars remained steady in September, with electric vehicles comprising approximately 4.3 per cent of advert views in the overall market. Furthermore, demand for used EVs in the second-hand market increased significantly, rising by approximately 87 per cent year-on-year in September.

However, a separate study of 4,000 in-market buyers showed that 37 per cent of motorists still remain reluctant to ever purchase an electric vehicle, up from 21 per cent when the 2030 ban was initially announced in 2021. Similarly, those who plan to buy an electric vehicle by 2035 have decreased to 39 per cent, compared to 49 per cent two years ago. Only 13 per cent of retailers believe that the delay will have no impact on consumer demand.

ben charity

In conclusion, the British car dealers' support for the government's decision to delay the ban on petrol and diesel cars until 2035 is evident in the Auto Trader study. However, the industry is facing challenges and uncertainty, particularly with the ZEV mandate still in place. Nevertheless, consumer interest in electric vehicles remains steady, with affordability playing a crucial role in driving adoption.

Source: cardealermagazine.co.uk



source http://autoengage.co.uk/home-page-6165/b/british-car-dealers-support-governments-decision-to-delay-ban-on-petrol-and-diesel-cars

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