The UK is exploring plans to make battery state of health (SOH) monitors compulsory on all new electric vehicles, helping to support consumer confidence.

OZEV said providing information on battery health would help alleviate concerns over degradation

The plans for regulation were revealed by Abdul Chowdhury, head of vehicle policy at the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), at last week’s Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) meeting,

Chowdhury explained that because the battery forms a large part of a used EV’s value and performance, providing information on its health would support consumers in making informed comparisons between vehicles and help alleviate concerns over battery degradation.

He commented: “The UK government has been working with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and other international partners to develop technical regulations on SOH monitors and minimum battery performance standards, and is currently analysing options for adopting these regulations into UK law.”

Chowdhury added that the EU is also considering options, and its Euro 7 proposals look set to bring SOH monitors in from July 2025

Battery state of health is an estimate of a battery’s remaining total capacity, compared to the total capacity at the EV’s production.

The Global Technical Regulations on EV batteries developed at UNECE, where many international automotive standards and regulations are set, cover two key aspects.

The first is to mandate installation of SOH monitors on EVs which must be accessible to the consumer, meet accuracy requirements and be validated through in-service testing.

The second is to set a minimum performance standard of 80% SOH from 0-5 years old or 100,000km (62,000 miles), whichever comes first, and 70% SOH for vehicles between 5-8 years old or 100,000 to 160,000km (62,000-99,419 miles), whichever comes first.

OZEV is also exploring other ways to provide support to the used EV sector, including giving standardised EV information to customers at the point of sale and helping to ensure that sufficient numbers of technicians were trained to repair EVs.

Chowdhury said: “The used market is critical to the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles and meeting our net zero ambitions. It is where 80% of all cars are bought and sold, and as we move from early EV adopters to a mass transition, its health is critical to ensuring a fair and equitable transition for all.

“Government support has included financial incentives to stimulate the new EV market and increase the supply of vehicles feeding through to the used market. Our funding for charge point infrastructure at homes, workplaces, residential streets and across the wider roads network is also supporting consumers to buy used EVs.”

As it stands there are no government plans for direct financial support for used EV purchases.

But OZEV has added that all policy options are continually under review, that it closely monitors the health of the used market and that it is always open to receiving any evidence.

Earlier this year, the UK remarketing sector called for a standard battery check for used EVs to accelerate buyer confidence. More than two-thirds (70%) of VRA members say it’s a key issue that needs resolving – and the association explained that an accurate, credible statement on the current condition of each battery and its likely future degradation would help considerably.

Speaking after last week’s meeting, VRA chair Philip Nothard said: “Used EVs continue to be among the most-discussed topics in remarketing, and being able to hear directly from someone such as Abdul at the centre of government thinking was fascinating and provided a high level of insight for VRA members.”

The BVRLA is also running an event on EV battery health to explore ways of promoting greater confidence in the used electric vehicle market.

Its half-day ‘Deep Dive’ event on 16 May will include panel discussions and keynote speeches from battery engineers, health-check providers and the Department for Transport will give an update on its work on global standards.