With the Government setting out its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate last year requiring all new cars sold in Britain to be zero emission by 2035,car dealerships have had to step up the installation of new green infrastructure to support the move.
The move towards greener transport is evidenced by the fact that electric vehicle (EV) registrations increased by 3.8% this year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with carmakers offering enticements such as 0% finance and deposit, as well as packages that include servicing and maintenance to attract customers.
Today, there are more than a million fully electric cars on the UK roads and that will only increase with the push towards the 2035 net zero target. Motor retailers have responded by investing in building new infrastructure and repurposing their existing sites.
For example, Arnold Clark last year announced it would be spending £23million on 150kW EV rapid chargers at its 80 sites across the country, as well as opening its first Electric Car Centre in Sydenham, London, with another being opened in Altrincham.
Others have followed. In March, Lookers opened its first £6m new and used multi-franchise Car Hub retail concept in Middlesbrough, focused on EV sales through its EV Experience Centre. As well as providing six 150kW EV rapid chargers, the EV Experience Centre offers knowledgeable, free and unbiased advice about electric driving.
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