FEBRUARY 2024 AFTERMARKET 61 www.aftermarketonline.net the future of UK manufacturing and we will take decisive action to ensure future investment in zero emission vehicle manufacturing. We already have a proven track record of backing UK automotive, including a longstanding and comprehensive programme of support featuring the ATF, the APC, Faraday Battery Challenge and Driving the Electric Revolution. “ Since its foundation in 2013, The APC, through Government, has funded 261 low-carbon projects, which the Government said helped to safeguard over 58,000 jobs in the UK. However, according to Andy Morton, VP, Head of Solutions, Automotive at NTT DATA UK&I, a wider view and investment in infrastructure is vital: "Transforming the automotive industry is not just about swapping combustion engines for electric motors; It requires us to think more broadly. Government funding is a positive signal of intent, but it’s important to remember that this journey isn’t just about how efficiently manufacturers can engineer away carbon emissions. “Funding will be required to support the wider eco-system and address today's very real challenges of EV car ownership. This includes the UK charging infrastructure that is lagging demand and the shortage of skilled EV technicians, making aftermarket servicing more of a challenge. Supporting local job creation is a good first step – but scaling this nationally takes grassroots support at every level, in every school, university, and research institution.” Andy added: “The ATF will be vital in unlocking investment in an internationally competitive EV supply chain. As we move towards Net Zero, every cog in the auto industry machine has a part to play. From global tech innovators to local infrastructure owners, we're all connected. It’s only through a unified, collaborative effort that we can truly drive change and make a sustainable, net-zero future a reality.” Used EVs prices to fall as company cars flood used market? The median price of used EVs fell by £10,000 in the last six months with company-owned cars entering the second-hand market as their leases expired, new research has found. The study, from NewAutoMotive, also found that used hybrid vehicles experienced a £9,000 fall in value for the same reason. In total, there are 475,000 electric cars, and 200,000 plug-in hybrids owned by companies. The majority are kept for between two and four years before being sold. According to New AutoMotive CEO Ben Nelmes, more EVs available in the used market could push prices down across the board, making EVs more accessible to those on lower budgets: “The benefits of going electric will be increasingly available to people up and down the country, and it’s great to see that so many people are now able to purchase excorporate fleet cars on the growing used EV market.” He continued: “It’s no surprise that since 2020 – when the tax rate on company purchased electric vehicles dropped to 0% – there’s been a huge uptick in the number of corporate electric vehicles on our roads.” Ben added: “The Government’s strategy was to encourage companies to be the early adopters of electric cars. As the first wave of companyowned electric cars are starting to flow into the used car market, motorists are reaping the rewards of the Government's strategy. It’s a trend that’s set to accelerate as more second-hand vehicles appear on the market, forcing the price down even further and accelerating the UK’s transition to electric.” For more information, visit: https://newautomotive.org/blog/ m8s7o74iovbcmoqude5vjli4iwbdrr EV home charge point installations double in a year Home charge point provider Andersen EV says sales of its A2 unit have doubled since 2022, with the top three areas for take-up being Kingston-upon-Thames, Oxford and Belfast. Reading came in fourth with Guildford and Basingstoke taking joint fifth place. While installations have been increasing, a continuation of this trend is not guaranteed, as David Martell, CEO of Andersen EV observed: “The Electric Vehicle industry is continuing to change, with the government UTurn on 2030 and changes to the ZEV mandate, consumers need to be supported and reassured as they change EV ownership.” Higher EV costs outweigh environmental benefits say carbuyers 39% of drivers said they believe the environmental benefits of EVs justify their higher cost according to a new survey by Europcar Mobility Group, but paradoxically 54% said it was this very cost that was holding them back from buying one. 38% went on to say they would be wary of buying an EV unless they could test-drive one for weeks at a time. A further 31% were not interested in EVs. Commenting on the results of the survey, Europcar Mobility Group UK Sustainability Spokesperson Mark Newberry said: “Despite the growing popularity of EVs, our research shows they are still out of reach for more than half of new and used car buyers. However, increased interest in EVs reflects the broader trend towards eco-friendly choices which is a promising sign for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the environmental impact of personal transportation. Now the challenge is to get more people on board.” Commenting on her experiences using a Mercedes EQA supplied by Europcar, TV presenter Amanda Lamb added: “I’ve always been a creature of habit for years driving similar size, similar makes of car and always using petrol in my travel presenter career. Driving an EV was pleasantly refreshing and has definitely opened up my eyes to the benefits as well as the superior comfort.”
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