Rapidly accelerating demand for plug-in vehicles is critical if the Government is to achieve its objective of ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040.
However, in announcing introduction of the new ‘Electric Vehicle Approved’ brand, the Department for Transport said that uncertainty and poor advice had been identified as a key barrier to electric vehicle ownership. Consequently, the scheme aimed to create a ‘trusted brand’ giving businesses and consumers the confidence to ‘drive electric’.
The standard for electric vehicle dealer accreditation has been developed by the National Franchised Dealers Association and the Energy Saving Trust. Successful dealerships will be known as ‘Electric Vehicle Approved’ and recognised for their commitment to training, their quality advice, and their effective service.
Following a pilot scheme, in which the electric vehicle skills of 12 dealerships were audited, it is estimated there will be 130 ‘Electric Vehicle Approved’ sites across the UK by the end of 2019.