ZEV pressure laid bare in NFDA election survey

  26 June 2024

In an NFDA survey ahead of the General Election, 69% of retailers said their top concerns were slowing demand in EVs and meeting ZEV Mandate targets. This is way ahead of the second-highest concern, staff and the skills shortage, on 33%.

As a result, the top issue retailers want the next government to address is restimulating the private EV market, just ahead of reforming business rates. The SMMT has suggested a halving of VAT on new private EV sales.

Only 2.4% of retailers say they are facing no pressure at all from OEMs to sell EVs and meet ZEV Mandate targets – with 39% saying they are facing “a great deal” of pressure. A further 19.5% say they are facing “a lot” of pressure.

The top three retailer concerns of skills shortages, a lack of EV demand and punitive business rates have all been consistently raised by the NFDA to the previous government, said chief executive Sue Robinson.

“Once the election has concluded and the dust settles, it is crucial for the next government to work with NFDA and the wider industry to tackle the concerns of dealerships and consumers alike.”

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