Drivers still worried about EV battery life

Concerns about the lifespan of second-hand EV batteries could still be a factor holding back sales of used EVs1, new research by AA Cars, the used car website, has found.

An poll of 12,200 drivers found that nearly half (45%) are worried about battery lifespan, while 44% doubt their ability to check if a used electric car is mechanically sound. AA Cars believe these fears, whilst understandable, are probably unfounded according to research*. There are also numerous examples of older EVs with 100k plus miles on the clock on the AA Cars website where the batteries are still going strong.

A further third (33%) of drivers worry that second-hand EVs will have a lower range than brand new models.

EVs represent 15.6% of sales in the new car market, but limited stock means they currently account for only 1.8% of used car sales3. However, take-up of used EVs should grow as more models come onto the second-hand market; the AA Cars research found that nearly a fifth of drivers feel ready to buy a used EV now (7%) or within the next two years (11%).

Although there are some barriers to EV uptake, the Government’s ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035 means that they are here to stay and this should be a growth area for used car dealers.

Nearly half of drivers say receiving practical advice from a dealer would make the process of buying a greener car easier4. This illustrates the importance people place on dealers’ ability to speak knowledgeably about EVs and offer clear, practical guidance to their customers.

On the other hand, there is also uncertainty on the part of private chauffeurs and limo driver requirements for EVs, such as the availability of charging infrastructure and vehicle range, which need to be addressed for widespread adoption in the private transport sector.

AA Cars’ research suggests that dealers should be focusing their advice on batteries, and could also benefit from providing vehicle inspection reports which show their cars have been independently tested and are mechanically sound.