The Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) accreditation scheme has reopened today, 12 October 2020 until April 2021.
Developed by the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and launched in May 2019, the scheme saw a successful first year with hundreds of dealers obtaining accreditation.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Subsequently, the government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has renewed its co-sponsorship of the scheme.
EVA acts as an independent kite mark to identify dealerships with particular expertise in the electric vehicle sector. Through the promotion of industry standards, the scheme works to improve consumer confidence whilst encouraging dealerships to advance their ability in selling and servicing EVs.
The government-approved scheme is just one part of a wider push to improve electric vehicle adoption in the UK.
The scheme is also endorsed by the Energy Savings Trust (EST), a social enterprise devoted to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use to address the climate emergency.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataTim Anderson, head of transport at EST, welcomed the reopening of the EVA accreditation scheme and reasserted the scheme’s credibility. Anderson said: “All dealerships who secure this certification have passed a robust and independent audit which gives the buys the confidence that they are being advised by knowledgeable staff on both purchase and maintenance.”
Anderson highlighted the scheme’s role in uniting like-minded organisations, such as the NFDA, that are all working towards a mutual goal “to increase the sale of electric vehicles and deliver the UK Governments target to achieve net-zero transport emissions by 2050.”
The EST independently audit dealerships to ensure they meet the particular standards concerning EV sales and aftersales, such as: the customer qualification process; staff knowledge and training; EV demonstration and handover processes; and the availability of EV service bays and on-site charge points.
Sue Robinson, chief executive of the NFDA, believes the EVA plays a key role in “recognising the efforts and investments dealers are making”.
Social barriers, such as limited consumer understanding of the product quality of EVs, are just one amongst several obstacles, slowing electric vehicle adoption in the UK.
Economic factors, such as high purchase prices, and infrastructure barriers, such as a lack of charging stations, are other issues that must be addressed if widespread adoption is to be achieved.
Slots will be allocated to dealers on a first come, first served basis, with a range of caps on applications in attempts to widen dealer participation in the scheme.
