European car brand Polestar has introduced new battery health certificates for its pre-owned electric vehicles in a bid to increase the uptake of greener cars.
The certificates, which show the battery life as a percentage, have been designed to provide peace of mind to drivers, proving that the battery remains in peak condition and can still be used by new owners.
This initiative comes after reports found that battery health certificates were particularly valuable for potential buyers who might be hesitant about purchasing older electric vehicles due to concerns about battery failure.
By providing clear documentation of battery condition, Polestar said it hopes to address one of the key concerns in the pre-owned electric vehicle market.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The certificates hope to increase interest in the used car market for electric vehicles
POLESTAR
The certificates will be available at a sales event offering customers the chance to purchase the car brand’s used electric vehicles with special financing terms on offer for pre-owned Polestar 2, 3 and 4 models.
Customers purchasing during the event will also receive a complimentary Zaptec home charger, offering a saving of up to £495.
The Zaptec charger comes with a standard installation included as well as a five-year warranty and lifetime coverage of 4G connectivity.
Meanwhile, the newly introduced battery state-of-health check for all pre-owned Polestar 2 models aims to provide transparent information to customers before purchase.
In May, Polestar is set to open its first dedicated pre-owned Space in Erdington, Birmingham, focusing exclusively on fully checked and prepared pre-owned vehicles.
The car maker explained that a key advantage of pre-owned Polestar models is that they remain up to date through over-the-air updates, allowing the vehicles to improve over time.
Updates have also added new functionality such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus popular apps including Waze and YouTube.
Matt Galvin, Managing Director of Polestar UK, said: "As more pre-owned Polestars start to come on the market, it offers a lower price entry-point to join the Polestar family and experience our performance EVs with all the software features of our new cars."
The introduction of battery health certificates by Polestar also aligns with broader industry calls for standardised testing across all electric vehicles.
Research from AXA UK showed that the addition of certificates could play a significant role in creating more demand in the used EV market.
A survey by the insurer and Aviloo found that 63 per cent of drivers had no plans to buy an electric car, with 37 per cent citing concerns over battery life as a barrier.
Only eight per cent of surveyed drivers would consider buying a second-hand electric vehicle, the research stated.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- DVLA unveils list of banned number plates which could see drivers slapped with £1,000 penalty - 'Comply!'
- Local authorities caught breaching Clean Air Zone rules by using petrol-powered tools while fining millions
- Private parking fines on track to hit 14.5m as drivers fury over 'unfair' punishments - 'Trap people!'
The battery certificates hope to remove anxieties around electric vehicles
POLESTAR
Marco Distefano, Managing Director of AXA Retail, shared: "We urge the Government to urgently publish guidelines to support standardised battery health testing.
"Not only will this stimulate the used EV market, but it also has the potential to positively impact insurance premiums by providing a barometer for assessing the value of EVs in a similar way that mileage is used for vehicles with an engine."
AXA also found that the certificates could have a positive impact on insurance premiums by making it easier for insurers to assess the value of second-hand EVs.
