The Labour government is facing mounting pressure to introduce new regulations for electric vehicle batteries as research reveals a dramatic loss of confidence among potential buyers in the second-hand EV market. Industry leaders are urging ministers to establish an official battery health certification system, similar to energy performance certificates for properties, to address growing consumer concerns.
Survey Reveals Alarming Confidence Gap
A comprehensive survey conducted by the AA in collaboration with EV guidance website Electrifying.com has exposed significant apprehension among drivers regarding electric vehicle ownership. The research, which polled 11,833 AA members whose primary vehicle is not electric, found that just 2% of participants believed EV batteries generally outlast traditional petrol and diesel engines.
Even more concerning for the second-hand market, only 3% of those surveyed expressed any confidence in purchasing a used electric vehicle. This startling statistic highlights a major barrier to the wider adoption of electric transportation as the UK progresses toward its net-zero targets.
Industry Calls for Standardised Certification
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of Electrifying.com, has been vocal in her criticism of the current system, stating that the Labour government has been "overlooking" the pre-owned EV marketplace. She advocates for a clear, standardised measure of battery health that would be independently checked and updated during MOT tests once vehicles reach three years of age.
"When you sell a house, buyers expect to see an energy performance certificate - it's a simple way of understanding its energy efficiency," Buckley explained. "There's no reason why electric cars shouldn't work the same way. A transparent battery health certificate would take much of the fear out of buying a used EV and unlock the second-hand market faster than short-term incentives."
Government Campaign Contrasts with Market Realities
These concerns emerge as the government launches a new campaign urging Britons to switch to electric vehicles, promising potential savings of up to £1,400 annually on running costs alongside access to the UK's expanding 87,000-strong charging network. Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather emphasised that over 50,000 drivers have already benefited from the Electric Car Grant, which provides discounts of up to £3,750 on new EV purchases.
However, this promotional push coincides with several contradictory market developments that may be contributing to consumer hesitation:
- Prices for the UK's most sought-after used electric and hybrid vehicles have declined for the fourth consecutive quarter, with the average cost of the top 20 most searched models dropping by 1.5% to £16,826
- The government announced in November's Budget that electric car drivers will face a new road charge of 3p per mile from April 2028, with plug-in hybrid drivers paying 1.5p per mile
- These rates are scheduled to increase annually with inflation, adding another consideration for potential buyers
Addressing the Knowledge Gap
Buckley attributes the low confidence figures primarily to a "lack of understanding" about electric vehicle technology and battery longevity. Without standardised, easily accessible information about battery health, consumers remain understandably cautious about investing in second-hand electric vehicles, particularly as battery replacement represents one of the most significant potential costs in EV ownership.
The proposed battery health certificate system would provide prospective buyers with reliable, independently verified information about a vehicle's most crucial component, potentially transforming consumer attitudes toward the used EV market and accelerating the transition to electric transportation across all socioeconomic groups.
