Dealers have raised major concerns over the amount of investment they are having to make in on site EV charging infrastructure.
The latest Dealer Attitude Survey from the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) found that this was the most negative theme in the overall survey, with the lowest score by some margin.
“The survey revealed that franchised dealer sentiment around EVs is being weighed down by the high levels of investment required for the transition, in comparison to the lack of manufacturer support.
“In particular, dealers have raised concerns with their manufacturer’s support for on-site EV charging infrastructure, returning an average of 4.9 out of 10, the lowest returning score for the entire survey,” it said.
The top brands for EV infrastructure support were Lexus, Kia, Mini, MG and BMW. The worst performing brands were DS, Seat, Citroen, Jeep and Fiat.
NFDA CEO Sue Robinson said: “Alongside our customers, our dealer partners are at the forefront of Kia and together we work hard to make it the brand it is today: a leader in electrification; the fourth best-selling brand in the UK; and on the way to launching seven EVs in the UK by 2027.
“Whilst this is a time of celebration for us and our partners, there is no time to rest on our laurels. We will continue to navigate new and evolving challenges, deliver on the needs of our customers and the transition to electric vehicles.”