A new white paper providing expert guidance on electric vehicle charging is now available from the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).

The first VRA paper looks at the current public recharging infrastructure, the types of charging facilities remarketing companies might need, advice on handling EV movements and guidance on maximisign take-up of second-hand EVs

It’s the first in a new series of white papers from the VRA that will provide guidance for the sector and look to shape best practice.

The inaugural paper has been written by battery electrochemist Euan McTurk, creator and presenter of Plug Life Television, a YouTube channel about battery technology and EVs.

It covers topics including the current public recharging infrastructure, the types of charging facilities remarketing companies might need, advice on how remarketing companies should handle EV movements and what the remarketing sector needs to do to maximise take-up of second-hand EVs.

Philip Nothard, VRA chair, said: “We’ve felt for some time that the remarketing sector is being neglected when it comes to published information and advice on electrification, and these white papers are, in part, our attempt to redress that balance.

“We are finding that there is huge and growing demand for briefings on the remarketing of EVs from our members. They are aware that the numbers of electric cars and vans seen so far in the used sector are just a trickle compared to the flood that will arrive over the next couple of years, and recognise their need to prepare for this shift. Also, of course, the collapse in values seen in recent months has created a huge amount of trepidation and uncertainty.

“Through the white papers, we’ll be attempting to answer some of the sector’s biggest questions and create a bedrock for future discussions and best practice.”

Heightened focus on promoting used buyer confidence in EV

The used car market has come under increasing focus in recent weeks as new research indicates that action is needed to help drivers go electric.

New analysis from the Green Finance Institute (GFI) has found that while some 61% of drivers say they would purchase an EV, over a quarter of them would not buy a used EV unless concerns are addressed.

Battery health is chief among such concerns, cited by 62% of drivers who wouldn’t buy a used EV. This makes it the number one barrier by far, followed by cost and charging infrastructure, according research among 2,000+ UK drivers for the Used EV Market: The Key to Unlocking Net Zero report.

The Government has said it recognises the importance of the second-hand market to the transition to zero-emission vehicles. It’s convened a working group to identify potential barriers and solutions to the take-up of used EVs and also announced plans to make battery state of health (SOH) monitors compulsory on all new electric vehicles, helping to support consumer confidence.

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. The BVRLA is also exploring ways of promoting greater confidence in the used electric vehicle market. Its recent ‘Battery Health Deep Dive’ event brought battery experts together to explore ways of promoting greater confidence in the used electric vehicle market. One large piece of research shared suggested that average battery degradation across a range of EVs stood at under 2% per year.

Auto Trader has also recently warned of the need for action on incentives for both new and used EV buyers in its Road to 2030 Report. It’s called for the Government to step in with a detailed programme of tax incentives to improve the affordability of BEVs and support the industry’s efforts in driving mass consumer adoption.

For more details about downloading the VRA’s white paper on ‘Electric Vehicle Charging: What the Remarketing Sector Needs to Know’, please visit https://thevra.co.uk/.