Attitude change a must for some dealers

This story first appeared in the August issue of EVTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

She can talk the torque, especially about electric vehicles (EVs).

Californian EVangelist Chelsea Sexton returned to New Zealand for two-and-a-half weeks in July and August on her fourth visit, speaking at engagements around the country.

There would have been more but planned sessions with the Motor Trade Association (MTA) were cancelled due to a lack of interest and, in Christchurch’s case, because of a clash of events.

That “lack of interest” is among the problems Sexton is grappling with in her fight to get automotive dealers interested and talking about an electrified future.

After all, they’re going to be affected by the changes, she says.

Many used car dealers here already have or are adding EV specialists to their staff but some new vehicle dealerships seem to be lagging behind in that regard.

“Many know how to sell cars so they consider there’s no difference selling EVs,” Sexton says.
But EVs bring different questions from potential customers so Sexton says it’s more of an “attitude thing” some dealers need to overcome.

“There are different degrees of acceptance and willingness.”

Some believe any rapid and popular uptake of EVs is too far into the future to be overly concerned about it.

There’s no doubt an EVolution is coming but just when is still uncertain. A few of the optimistic reckon 2020 could be the turning point – less than three years away.

But a Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report released on July 19 picks EVs to outsell petrol and diesel models by 2040. That will reflect a rapid fall in lithium-ion battery costs, it says.

BNEF expects 530 million plug-in cars on the road within 23 years – that’s a third of all cars worldwide.

Sexton says much of the present debate is based around “electrified” cars which can be misleading.
These are not necessarily all-electric battery/plug-in types but include a variety of hybrids, initially more popular because of their extended range.

Then there’s the price comparison. A new EV still costs much more than a new internal combustion engine vehicle, although its running costs are a lot less.

EV prices will come down as more automakers get on board, perhaps with increased robotic factories and other production technology helping that.

Some buyers might be swayed by the EV’s clean, green, zero emissions status.

But Sexton reckons it’s the little things that will count with potential EV customers. Like being able to use special lanes to avoid urban congestion, and parking and charging incentives to name a few.

Partnerships are already developing, such as electricity companies offering deals to EV customers, especially around overnight charging.
Government incentives help too.
So where’s all this going?

“Wait and see,” Sexton says.
Forecasts are all very well but it’s a matter of having a certain number of EVs by a certain date, she says.

And what makes her such an authority on the subject? Well, she started selling cars at 17 to pay for her university study.

Then in 1996 a friend suggested she might find a special General Motors group interesting and she was recruited to it to help develop and market the United States’ first large scale production electric car, the EV1.

When leases expired on it 10
years later, the cars were taken back and crushed.
But not Sexton’s dream of an EV future which features in the film Who killed the electric car? which she says started as a comedy.

She toured New Zealand when the film arrived here, then came another called Revenge of the electric cars. Now a third, dubbed Generation EV, is on the cards, subject to finance.
Sexton has joined in The Better NZ Trust’s “Leading the Charge” EV road tours and is familiar with New Zealand’s surging interest in EVs.

She’s been to Norway, considered the world leader in EVs but has yet to be invited to speak in Australia.

As for returning to New Zealand, Sexton has little doubt she’ll be back again soon.

She says people here are keen to fund her visits and hear what she has to say.
More on pages 15 and 16.