Dealerships might fail to fulfill the growing demand for EV check drives because of the variety of demonstrators exceeding the variety of obtainable forecourt charging factors.

A survey by automotive consultancy MotorVise discovered that some dealerships had 12 EV demonstrators vying for 2 charging factors and that simply 13.5% of salespeople possess a house charger regardless of 56% having an EV as an organization automotive.

It warns that this widespread disparity might curb the supply of check drives for potential clients, additional reinforcing the scepticism that already surrounds the know-how.

MotorVise is looking upon dealerships to fund dwelling chargers for its salespeople, permitting them to cost demonstrator autos in a single day making certain vehicles are returned to the dealership with the utmost doable vary.

It identified that even after salespeople have reclaimed the associated fee, a dealership might nonetheless save as much as 5 instances the quantity in contrast with charging the demonstrators through the day.

Fraser Brown, the founder and chief govt of MotorVise, factors out this may also profit the gross sales groups by giving them an actual world perception into the practicalities of proudly owning an EV which may be handed on to clients.

He stated: “Our survey reveals that by the top of this yr there’ll merely be too many EV demonstrators to cost at dealerships, even after main energy provide upgrades, and this may impression on availability of check drives.

The survey by MotorVise, which has launched its bespoke ‘Enhancing EV Combine Programme’, a coaching system designed to spice up the EV retail gross sales combine to a minimal of 20%, concerned 75 salespeople throughout 60 UK dealerships.

It discovered that out of these 60 dealerships, 60% had extra EV demonstrator autos than charging factors – one having 20 EVs in contrast with simply eight charging factors, whereas 4 had 12 demonstrators and simply two charging factors. Solely 29.3% had extra charging factors than EVs, whereas 10.6% had an equal quantity.

Brown added: “Given the higher provide of EVs and an growing variety of motorists contemplating making the swap, it merely received’t be doable to cost all EV demonstrators on website. By the top of this yr that strain will undoubtedly have grown.

“Nearly all of gross sales groups have an EV data shortfall, with any coaching often delivered for particular merchandise or autos.

“Our survey discovered 86.5% of salespeople don’t have a house charging level. By supplying one, dealerships can guarantee demonstrators are absolutely charged utilizing the most affordable in a single day tariff whereas their gross sales groups obtain a real possession expertise.

“It’s going to present them with a a lot better perception into EVs and residential charging that may be handed onto the client, significantly enhancing the gross sales course of.”