A new industry-backed initiative has launched to provide free practical training on electric vehicles to independent motor dealers in the UK.

Designed to boost confidence in stocking and selling used electric vehicles, the EV Retail Ready programme is a collaborative effort between the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the Independent Motor Dealers Association (IMDA) and advocacy group EVA England.

Supported by major industry names including Lex Autolease and Mfldirect – the remarketing arm of Motability Operations – along with Octopus Electric Vehicles and Zenith, EV Retail Ready aims to give independent dealers practical knowledge and confidence as growing numbers of electric cars reach the second-hand market.

Battery electric vehicles continue to account for a growing share of the new car market each year, climbing from 16.6% in 2022 to 23.4% in 2025 and reaching 25.6% by the end of August 2026.

With demand for new BEVs being dominated by leasing companies and company car drivers, higher volumes of electric cars are ending their first life and entering the used market.

The course aims to provide dealers and consumers with confidence to absorb this growing supply in a sustainable way that works across the automotive sector.

By focusing specifically on independent dealers, EV Retail Ready bridges a critical skills gap to level the playing field with franchised, manufacturer-supported networks.

The free-to-access training is split into four core modules covering commercial viability, energy and charging, in-life costs and the customer journey.

Training is completed online at the dealer’s discretion and convenience. Delegates can access the content and complete the assessments at a time and pace that work for them, with the full programme expected to take up to two hours per individual.

Upon completing the course, the individual will be officially credited to help give customers the confidence they seek when searching for their next car. Dealerships can receive wider accreditation when all consumer-facing staff have completed the programme.

In addition to the programme’s training materials, EV Retail Ready users can access the ClearWatt EV Explorer, providing vehicle-specific information on areas including batteries, charging and real-world range. The tool is designed to help dealership teams better understand how electric vehicles perform beyond headline laboratory figures, giving them a practical and consistent source of information when answering customer questions.

Co-launched by the BVRLA as part of its #UsedEVweek 2026, EV Retail Ready brings together organisations representing different parts of the vehicle lifecycle, from the leasing companies and fleets driving demand for new EVs, through to independent dealers and the drivers ultimately buying them.

Toby Poston, BVRLA chief executive, said: “Independent dealers are a fundamental part of the transition to electric vehicles. More EVs are entering the used market every month and we need to make sure businesses across the sector have the confidence and knowledge to sell them successfully.

“EV Retail Ready offers independent dealers free access to practical support. The industry has come together because a healthy used EV market benefits everyone; fleets, dealers and, ultimately, motorists looking for an affordable route into electric driving.”

Gareth Angove, head of business at the IMDA said the free tool would help dealers understand EVs, sell them with confidence and give customers the reassurance they’re looking for.

Vicky Edmonds, CEO, EVA England, added: “The showroom is often a new EV driver’s first point of contact and where they go for advice on whether this is the right car for them. They need reassurance from salespeople who understand these cars. This free training programme will provide much needed support to independent dealers to help them do that.”

Registration is available via the IMDA website, through which dealers will be able to access and complete the programme.