EV retailer numbers remain steady amid government indecision, market instability

The number of car retailers offering electric vehicles (EV) has stayed consistent year-on-year, with the lack of growth blamed on government indecision and market instability.

Auto Trader’s research reveals that more than half (53%) of retailers disagree with the Labour Government's decision to reinstate the 2030 ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars.

Among franchise retailers, nearly half (48%) support the 2030 ban, compared to only 31% of independent retailers.

Following the previous government's decision to push the ban to 2035 last October, nearly a quarter (22%) of franchise retailers said they would reduce their electric vehicle (EV) inventory, while almost half (48%) of independent retailers indicated they did not stock EVs and would be even less likely to do so.

In July 2023, data from Auto Trader showed that just over a third of retailers had at least one electric car in their inventory - 76% of franchised and 19% of independent retailers.