EV city cars set to be the centre of attention

The electric vehicle revolution has taken a bit of a slump as of late, with the entire automotive industry still questioning what their futures hold ahead of the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate set to come into force in 2035. With the feasibility of the mandate still being questioned throughout the industry and in parliament many questions are being asked about the future of the electric vehicle and how big a part they have to play in the UKs future.

Head of Fiat Europe Gaetano Thorel has claimed that ‘I think electric remains a solution, and I believe that electric city cars are a no-brainer for two reasons because the range is not a problem anymore and recharging shouldn’t be an issue if you have a wall box at home. The perception should tell you that electric cars should be from the city car segment.”

Fiat currently offer three fully electric city cars (500e, 600 and Grande Panda) so Thorel’s support of the EV segment is understandable, however with competitors from Renault, Mini, and Chinese newcomer BYD all making waves in the segment the industry looks to be adapting their approach.

One of the main issues preventing widespread EV adoption for a long time has been the price of entry. With the cost of larger new EVs starting at £40,000 many drivers have been waiting for more affordable options to be available. The broader introduction of small EV city cars along with the dramatic falls in used EV prices has begun to give the Electric Revolution a second wind.

Revive! Managing Director Mark Llewellyn gave his thoughts on the growing used EV market in a recent feature on AM Online which you can view here: am-online.com/features-landing/executive-view-protecting-the-residual-value-of-evs

“Last year, used electric vehicles (EVs) hit a record in demand with sales increasing 57.4% on the secondary market to 188,382 cars.

This change reflects a growing appetite for more affordable sustainable transport and the inevitable growth of the EV market as the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel vehicles looms. While the market is mounting, concerns around depreciation remain a significant issue for owners and dealers alike.

With more than 90% of buyers conducting extensive online research before visiting a dealership, most are making their initial judgment based on photos and videos. For many buyers, these images offer an initial assessment of the vehicle’s condition. As such, sellers looking to achieve a higher residual value should consider appropriately preparing their vehicle for sale. To help motorists and dealers get their EVs in top condition and ready for the market, companies providing SMART repair offer a convenient lifeline.” Mark concluded.

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