A recent survey conducted by Startline has revealed that nearly seven out of ten dealers (68%) believe that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are serving as a transitional option for car buyers hesitant to fully embrace electric vehicles (EVs).
Published in Startline’s July Used Car Tracker, the findings indicate that 60% of dealers anticipate an increase in the value of PHEVs while 48% expect demand for these vehicles to rise as well.
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However, the outlook is not entirely optimistic, with only 37% of dealers expressing confidence that PHEVs will maintain a long-term presence in the market.
The same percentage of respondents indicated that buyers may begin to reject PHEVs in favour of fully electric alternatives.
Startline Motor Finance CEO Paul Burgess said: “While there are now strong indications that the market for used EVs is improving quite rapidly, there remains a sizeable cohort of car buyers who are concerned about factors such as accessing charging.
“For them, PHEVs are emerging as a halfway house to electrification, providing some electric range but also the reassurance of a combustion engine. It makes sense that they are becoming more popular.
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By GlobalData“It’s interesting, though, that more than a third of dealers believe their current rise will pass as more drivers opt for a full EV. They think that while PHEVs are very much on an upwards trajectory right now, their drivers will move onto fully electric cars in time.”
Additionally, nearly 13% of dealers noted that recent changes to the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which allows PHEVs to remain on sale until 2035, have influenced their views on the market dynamics surrounding these vehicles.
Burgess added: “Certainly, there is a widespread expectation that the revised ZEV Mandate will provide a boost to PHEVs in the new car sector, but it is clear that few used car dealers in our research believe it will have a material impact on their customers.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker, compiled monthly by APD Global Research, surveyed 300 consumers and 60 dealers for this report.
