Drivers make feelings clear on second-hand electric cars amid 'serious concerns' with battery life

One of the main concerns flagged by drivers was about the durability and effectiveness of batteries that had been worn.

Meanwhile, nearly half (47 per cent) of drivers said they would refuse to buy a second-hand EV, while 62 per cent thought an EV would cost more to insure than petrol or diesel cars.

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By law, batteries inside electric vehicles are required to have warranties which are applicable for at least eight years.

But despite this, 47 per cent of motorists said they would be more likely to buy an electric car if the warranty was even longer.

A further two-thirds (67 per cent) of motorists did not purchase an aftersales package when buying their most recent car, regardless of whether it was electric, petrol or diesel.

Autocar business editor Mark Tisshaw said that electric cars are still relatively new in the public consciousness, so there is a “natural scepticism”.

While many manufacturers and retailers are moving to dispel these concerns and offer “comprehensive” battery warranties, progress is still slow.

Research by Autocar detailed how the current support measures and incentives are not enough to convince most second-hand car buyers to go electric.

Tisshaw added that there are also “very real worries” around insurance costs that are not going away for many motorists.

“As more electric cars enter the mainstream second-hand market, buyers need an extra level of reassurance and confidence in a technology the vast majority will be experiencing for the first time,” he explained.

In April, major manufacturers Fiat and Mazda accused the Government of not doing enough to help with the uptake in EV sales.

Jeremy Thomson, managing director at Mazda UK, said it was disappointing not to see any incentives for private buyers of electric vehicles in the Spring Budget announcement.

He warned that there needs to be a change in the narrative around EVs, from range to usage and encourage home charging installation.

He also suggested having better Government incentives that consider cost throughout the ownership cycle.

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Thompson added: “As manufacturers, we have to build and sell electric cars that people want to buy at a price that gives them confidence to adopt EV technology."