Fleets and the remarketing sector have been warned of widespread pre-registration of electric cars in the fourth quarter of 2025 as carmakers rush to meet ZEV mandate targets by the year-end.

Speaking last week at a member meeting of the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA), Rupert Pontin, head of insight and communications at Brego, pointed out that 28% of UK new car sales must be zero-emission across 2025 to meet targets – but warned that sales were currently only running at 22%.

“It seems inevitable that some manufacturers with some models will be pushing out stock in an attempt to minimise their ZEV mandate exposure. Of course, this would put pressure on late-plate values but also introduce offers into the market that offer exceptional value for buyers.”

His warning follows continued cautions from Cox Automotive that pressure on carmakers to hit ZEV mandate targets will create an “unrealistic and unnatural market” with strategic and tactical activity on the part of many manufacturers that will impact future residual values.

VRA members at last week’s meeting also heard from Mike Fazal, CEO of Leasing.com, that the Government’s new electric car grants, introduced in July, are already having a noticeable effect.

“There’s been some criticism of the scheme but it has driven both engagement and sales. Overall, electric car prices have fallen on our platform and the overall percentage of electric car queries we are seeing for personal contract hire has risen from 24% in June to 44% in November.”

But Fazal stressed that the market upturn was very much offer-driven.

“Electric cars that look like exceptional value are delivering the sales. For example, the Ford Puma Gen-E – one of very few models to qualify for the full £3,750 grant – is currently very well priced and among the best=sellers on our platform.”

Auto Trader also told VRA delegates that EV demand was often stimulated by attractive pricing, and pointed out consumers were showing much less brand loyalty when it came to electric cars.

Nick Press, finance and leasing development director at the firm, added: “When it comes to used electric cars, only two in 10 buyers stay with the same brand they already drive compared to four in 10 for petrol and diesel models.”

He also took part in a discussion at the meeting – held at Toyota’s Burnaston manufacturing facility – about the best ways for the market to handle the current stock shortage of three- to five-year-old cars.

Press said: “The current stock shortage is a result of pandemic production issues working their way through the age cohorts of the market. There are clear shortages compared to demand and three- to five-year-olds are the fastest-selling on our platform.”

Melissa Seckington, head of corporate sales at Wilsons Auctions, added: “It’s an issue that means dealers have had to change their stocking profile. If they can’t get three- to five-year-old cars, they have to go younger or older. Most tend to go with the latter and work to bring condition up to a level that meets buyer expectations.”