Motoring expert Quentin Willson laid down the gauntlet to dealers when it comes to retailing used electric vehicles.

Chairing AM's Used Car Market Conference earlier this week, Willson suggested a possible niche in the used car market could develop as today’s new electric vehicles find their way back to the market.

With new price tags of £25,990 for the new Nissan Leaf and the Vauxhall Ampera at the £30,000 mark, Willson suggested consumers would have the opportunity to obtain these cars at exceptional prices even after just 12-months of depreciation which in turn offers potential for a dealer willing to take a risk and corner the market.

CAP’s chief editor Christopher Crow, however, is sceptical believing that the popularity of hybrids has been largely driven by the cult of celebrity which he doesn’t see expanding to incorporate the electric vehicle.

Glass’s Guide managing editor Adrian Rushmore agrees, pointing to the 13 electric vehicles which have already found their way onto the used car market and have yet to sell.

Opportunity or white elephant? The lack of response from dealers to Willson’s challenge suggests the latter but every successful entrepreneur faced doubters and downright ridicule on the road to glory so perhaps it would be foolish to dismiss the potential of a used electric vehicle market so readily.

  • For a full review of the AM Used Car Market Conference see the forthcoming October issue of AM magazine, out from October 26.