Electric Vehicles UK (EVUK), the EV industry-to-consumer body, has revealed five clear steps to help an early wave of mainstream car buyers go electric in its response to the ZEV consultation.

Most consumers are unaware that used EVs are often cheaper than used petrol and diesel cars, and typically with lower running costs

Among EVUK’s list of 25 key recommendations are five clear takeaways to help car drivers trust the emerging EV market. Critically, these core suggestions need targeted government action, not taxpayers’ cash.

These include:

• Clearer car terminology, to end ‘Consumer Confusion’
• Flip the focus to where most buyers buy – used market
• Educate consumers, reassure that ‘Battery EVs last’
• ‘Drive Demand’ with consumer campaigns and test drives
• ‘Plug the gap’ between home and high-powered charging with more destination and workplace chargers

Dan Caesar, CEO of EVUK, said: “EVUK supports the Government’s engagement with industry to help consumers get behind the wheel of the latest EVs. The ZEV mandate is already helping to increase consumer choice and lower prices.

“But now we need to work on the next wave of adoption – the early mainstream – to create a thriving second-hand EV market, alongside a growing new EV market.

“Above all, we must end ‘consumer confusion’ and educate car buyers about the many benefits of driving electric, including cost savings.”