OCTOBER 2023 AFTERMARKET 61 www.aftermarketonline.net To read the report, visit: https://www.thatcham.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/07/Impactof-BEV-Adoption-on-the-Repair-an d-Insurance-Sectors-reportInnovate-UK-and-ThatchamResearch-FINAL.pdf Survey: Drivers oppose EV road pricing 55% of motorists oppose the idea of EVs being taxed on a pay-per-mile usage basis, a new survey has found. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker also found that 40% believe taxation on EVs should stay low to promote drivers to pick vehicles run on an electric powertrain. The survey follows Where the rubber hits the road: Reforming vehicle taxe a policy document issued in June by the Resolution Foundation that proposed charging EV drivers 6 pence per mile from 2027 to make up for a £10 billion drop in road tax generation resulting from drivers moving away from internal combustion engine vehicles. 22% oppose road pricing for any vehicles. 10% said EV drivers should pay the same rate as those using internal combustion engine vehicles. Only 9% would opt for a 6-pence-permile rate to use their EV. Commenting on the survey, Startline Motor Finance CEO Paul Burgess said: “It looks like there are really two key messages here from those who took part in our research. One is that people think EV taxation should be kept low in order to encourage more people into electric cars, and the second is that road pricing is not the preferred method to recoup lost tax. However, it also looks as though there is quite a lot of resistance to the idea of road pricing in general, which could give politicians and other bodies with an interest in how cars are taxed something to mull over. It has long been widely assumed that the UK will move over time to a pence-per-mile model for tax but it may be something that voters just don’t like.” Paul added: “These are very low percentages and underline the extreme lack of enthusiasm for the Resolution Foundation’s ideas. It could be that legislators need to go back to the drawing board and identify new ways of taxing EVs that have more voter appeal.” To view the report from the Resolution Foundation, visit: https://economy2030.resolutionfo undation.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/06/Whererubber-hits-the-road.pdf EV complaints to The Motor Ombudsman rise slightly EV complaints submitted by consumers to The Motor Ombudsman rose slightly in Q2 to 291, against a total of 273 seen during Q1, the body has revealed. While customer service and purchase issues made up 31% of the concerns raised by consumers between 1 April and 30 June, complaints over range dropped from 12% in Q1 2023 to 6% in Q2 2023. Onboard vehicle charging systems led to only 5% of disputes submitted. As in Q1, vehicle chassis and motor issues led to 20% of disputes, while electronics and software Issues caused 14% of complaints. Bodywork issues were responsible for 10% of issues, up from 6% in Q1. Problems with interiors seemed to lessen, with Q1’s 10% of complaints in this area making up 8% in Q2. However, battery-related complaints rose from 4% in Q1 to 6% in Q2, mainly down to hardware faults. Range issues made up 6% of complaints in Q2, down from 12% in Q1. The smallest ratio of complaints emanated from issues surrounding on-board vehicle charging hardware with 5%, slightly up from Q1’s 4%. On how these issues were resolved, 16% opted for a rejection of a vehicle while another 16% went for compensation. The average here was £12,550, down from Q1’s £13,000. Commenting on the figures, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman Bill Fennell said: “What our latest quarterly data analysis is showing, is that despite the volume of complaints starting to creep up, these still account for less than 1% of overall contacts received every quarter, therefore posting an encouraging picture that the majority of EV owners and buyers are enjoying what is a positive experience, with no major causes for concern.” “The level of service delivered by businesses, and problems encountered at the point of purchase remains a key sticking point for motorists, but there are small signs this is beginning to improve. We will of course continue to keep a close eye on trends that emerge through the rest of this year, so as to keep industry and consumers informed about what we are seeing on the ground.” To read The Motor Ombudsman’s thought leadership paper on EV complaints seen in the first six months of 2023, which has been launched today, visit: www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/u sefulinformation/mediapublications/reports/thoughtleadership-papers For peace of mind always use a Garage Equipment Association member. GEA accredited engineers work to an industry code of conduct. Your assurance their skills and knowledge have been independently assessed. IS YOUR EQUIPMENT ENGINEER GEA ACCREDITED? Ask your engineer for his accreditation card ! The Upholders of Industry standards since 1945 The Garage Equipment Association www.gea.co.uk GEA ACCREDITED ENGINEER Name Company Discipline Exp Date ID Number XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 XX123456
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