Calls for an industry-wide EV-for-EV replacement vehicle guarantee have overwhelming backing from drivers, according to a new survey.

Motor Assist has offered its own EV-for-EV guarantee since early 2021

Motor Assist has urged the accident aftercare sector to implement the initiative, enabling drivers of electric vehicles to remain in an electric car if they require a temporary replacement.

The new standard, proposed by the modular incident and claims management solution from AX, would require insurers and accident management providers to supply an EV replacement while a customer’s electric car is off the road following a non-fault accident.

Motor Assist has offered its own EV-for-EV guarantee for three years so that drivers don’t have to step back into a petrol or diesel car following an incident.

The proposal for this to be run across the industry has the support of 88% of electric car drivers who agree that they should be eligible for an equivalent electric vehicle.

In the UK, drivers are entitled to an equivalent replacement vehicle if they are involved in an accident that is not their fault, but this does not require accident aftercare companies or insurers to provide a vehicle with the same powertrain.

Yet Motor Assist’s survey found that more than two-thirds (67%) of EV drivers would be likely to refuse an ICE replacement car if their vehicle was off the road due to an accident that was not their fault.

The new standard would provide continuity for fleet drivers and insurer customers, while demonstrating a commitment to sustainable mobility in the lead up to the ban on the sale of new ICE cars.

When asked why they think that electric car drivers should receive an electric vehicle as a replacement following an accident, 46% of respondents said that it wouldn’t seem fair to have to step back into a diesel or petrol car. Nearly half of respondents (45%) also said that they would not want to go back to petrol or diesel cars for environmental reasons.

Scott Hamilton-Cooper, chief commercial officer at AX, said: “We were the first to introduce an EV-for-EV guarantee and after its successful implementation three years ago, we have raised the bar again with EValuate, our EV for ICE test drive initiative.

“The feedback we’ve received and the research we have conducted shows that customers, both drivers and fleet managers, want this commitment to be more widespread.

“Anything that can help to positively impact the UK’s transition from fossil fuel powered cars to zero-emission vehicles is a welcome step. Our industry can make a significant contribution to supporting sustainable mobility.

“As well as offering convenience and continuity, it reduces average CO2 emissions for our business while helping the fleets, insurers, and dealers we work with to minimise their environmental impact, too.”

AX also launched its EValuate service earlier this year. This gives petrol, diesel and hybrid car drivers the opportunity to experience an EV replacement vehicle while their own vehicle is being repaired following an accident.

When asked whether they think drivers of petrol and diesel cars should be given the opportunity to try an electric courtesy car if they are involved in an accident, 84% of respondents said they should.