UK dealer EV accreditation scheme launched

Car dealerships providing a quality service around electric vehicles will be badged under a new scheme launched on May 15 in the United Kingdom.

The Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme, developed by the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA), will award EVA accreditation to dealership sites independently audited by the Energy Saving Trust.

The EVA certification will show vehicle dealers excellence in the EV field, ensuring customers get the best information when considering buying electric and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).

The scheme has been piloted since November last year by the NFDA, with dealerships selected able to display the EVA logo.

It is expected to have a key role in the market transition to EVs, the NFDA says.

“The goal of the scheme, which is open to all retailers, is to recognise expertise and promote industry standards to benefit the consumer and support the growth of the electric vehicle sector,” it says.

Having specially trained staff will help dealerships overcome customer reluctance to embrace EVs and ease concerns about EV related matters such as range anxiety, now reducing as more EVs are able to do longer distances on a single charge.

The government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) supports the scheme.

“EVA accredited dealers possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure their customers have a positive and well informed experience when buying new or used plug-in vehicles, giving consumers confidence and supporting the growing uptake of ultra-low and zero emission vehicles,” Energy Saving Trust transport head Matthew Eastwood says.

“With transport generating 26% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the sale of ultra-low and zero emission vehicles is critical in the efforts to reduce carbon emissions in line with government targets.”