Fiat dealers raise awareness of EVs with fourth Electric Event

Fiat dealers across the UK have taken part in the brand’s Electric Event for the fourth time.

The initiative, which runs from September 23-30, aims to educate drivers, demystify the terms associated with electric cars and encourage motorists to start their journey towards electric driving.

Across the event, Fiat’s network of retailers are on hand to answer customer questions around electrification, such as how to charge an electric vehicle, how long it takes to charge, and how much is costs to run.

Fiat retailers can also explain the differences and benefits of driving electric, while also offering drivers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the New 500, the brand’s first-ever, fully-electric vehicle.

Greg Taylor, managing director of Fiat and Abarth, said: “The vast majority of people across the UK are yet to have driven an electric vehicle. Fiat’s Electric Event not only offers motorists the opportunity to experience the award winning 500 electric but also learn more about how electric cars can fit seamlessly into daily life.”

Fiat ended the sale of all non-electrified vehicles in the UK from July 1. The Stellantis-owned Italian car brand made the move three months after it completed the electrification of its full model range with the arrival of new versions of its 500X crossover and Tipo hatchback.

Electric vehicles (EV) look set to reshape the UK’s car retail sector in the years ahead, with a fifth of dealers telling Auto Trader that they will never sell purely battery-powered zero-emission vehicles.

Research findings shared in the automotive marketplace’s latest update to its Road to 2030 report laid bare a growing gulf between consumer sentiment towards the shift to EVs and many retailers preparedness and willingness to embrace change.

Over half of retailers (51.6%) surveyed by Auto Trader said they felt unprepared and not strategically ready to respond to this surging demand, with 20% of franchised retailers making the statement, compared to 59.9% of independent retailers. 

And while over half of retailers (50.4%) surveyed said they had never sold an EV, 22% said that they never would.