Volkswagen Sheffield, a JCT600 dealership, is the latest site to be made part of the Electric Vehicle Approved [EVA] scheme.
The Sheffield dealership is also one of just 15 EV battery repair centres in the country, thanks to a trio of Volkswagen-trained “High Voltage” expert technicians.
Chris Moriarty, head of business at JCT600 Volkswagen Sheffield, said: “It’s a massive point of pride for Volkswagen Sheffield to be part of the first wave of accreditations, and it’s a credit to the expertise and knowledge of the team here at Sheffield.
“We’re constantly trying to be the best in our sector, and being recognised as an EVA-approved dealership is a crucial step in the journey to being the best EV retailer we can be.”
John Tordoff, chief executive of JCT600, said: “We’re striving to lead the way when it comes to knowledge and training in the emerging EV industry, and to have a dealership within the group that is clearly leading the way is something I’m really proud of.”
The EVA Standards is a five-page document that sets out what dealers have to do when selling and repairing electric vehicles.
There are also sales standards with an emphasis on clear language. EVA retailers will carry out provenance checks, know how to do an EV handover and offer guidance on using EVS and finding public charging points.
The standards cover the vehicle handover, aftersales, vehicle checks, staff training, vehicle showroom and advertising.
The NFDA scheme is also backed by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles [OLEV].
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association [NFDA], said: “EVA will certify the efforts franchised retailers are making in the EV sector to meet the fast-growing consumer demand, and will enable them to clearly communicate to their customers their expertise in the sector.”