A new scheme to endorse electric vehicle (EV) retailers has been endorsed by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and Energy Saving Trust. Developed by the National Franchised Dealer’s Association (NFDA), the scheme – EVA – is a set of standards for retail and aftersales of electric vehicles.
It is the only scheme, open to all automotive retailers, which certifies the efforts retailers are making in the EV sector to meet the ever-changing consumer demand.
The first phase is open to retailers in the first instance from November 2018 to February 2019.
The slots for the pilot phase will be allocated on first come first served basis to ensure a fair geographical representation of the UK. The pilot will be used to establish the scheme and the NFDA will monitor the operation before the official launch to consumers in 2019.
Both pure Electric Vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles are experiencing significant growth and a number of manufacturers have ambitious plans for the expansion of both the model range and volume of models sold. Importantly, interest from consumers is also expanding rapidly, however, consumers have found buying a plug-in car more complex than purchasing an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, due to the additional considerations to be taken into account and possible lifestyle impacts. Retailers have a central role in helping the UK consumer feel confident enough to buy an electric vehicle.
A retailer who has committed significant time and resources to EVs should meet the standards set by EVA and then be able to communicate clearly to consumers, through the EVA trust mark, their expertise in the sector.
The EVA status is awarded to individual dealership locations and not to dealer groups. Once a dealer group decides which site(s) they wish to be EVA members, NFDA will arrange for an audit to occur at these locations. The audit will be performed by the Energy Saving Trust and will result in either a pass or referral. NFDA is the awarding body and on receipt of a successful audit report will grant the dealership site EVA membership.
Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), commented ‘It is extremely positive that the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has endorsed the pilot phase of NFDA’s new Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme. Cooperation between government and industry is vital for the UK to be at the forefront of the latest developments in the electric vehicles sector, while meeting emission targets and satisfying consumer demand.
NFDA looks forward to working with OZEV and the Energy Saving Trust to give automotive retailers the opportunity to show their excellence in electric vehicle retail”.
To find out more about EVA and sign up for the free pilot phase, please email eva@rmif.co.uk.
About Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust is an organisation providing evidence-based advice and ground-breaking research that helps people save energy, every day. Trusted by consumers, businesses and organisations for our expertise and independence, our goal is to find new and better ways to drive change and reduce energy and fuel consumption.
About the Retail Motor Industry
The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.
