EVs, hybrids and aftercare 27 www.aftermarketonline.net JULY/AUGUST 2025 Survey highlights EV battery health concerns Nearly two-thirds of UK motorists have no plans to buy an electric vehicle and concerns about battery technology are a key factor, according to a survey commissioned by insurance company AXA UK. Battery health certificates could be crucial in stimulating the second-hand EV market, where there is currently no standardised measure of battery health or barometer for vehicle value, AXA said. The new research, conducted by Stack Data Strategy among a representative sample of 1,501 motorists, indicates motorists don’t plan to buy EVs because they believe they are too expensive (61%) and because there is a lack of charging points in their local area (36%). Alongside the research, AXA published a report, ‘Sparking Change — the case for delivering EV battery health certificates’, which highlights the benefits of standardised battery health information for all makes and models of used EVs to give consumers more confidence in the longevity of the vehicles they are buying. Certificates could have a positive impact on insurance premiums by making it easier for insurers to accurately assess the value of second-hand EVs in a similar way that mileage is used for vehicles with an engine, according to the insurer. The research also reveals there is a clear lack of public awareness around the used EV market, with nearly two-thirds (64%) of those questioned saying there is not enough public information on how to buy a used electric vehicle. In the UK, new EVs and their batteries must have manufacturer warranties of eight years or 100,000 miles but these are often not passed on to subsequent owners of the vehicle. There is currently no standardised method in place for the owners of second-hand EVs to track the vehicle’s battery health or performance. AXA is now calling on the government to publish guidelines supporting standardised battery health testing. Separately, Schroders Capital has agreed a £20 million investment partnership with Be.EV, one of the UK’s leading EV charging networks, which will see more than 200 ultra-rapid charging bays installed across 22 Schroders Capital-managed retail and leisure properties. Be.EV will install ultra-rapid Kempower chargers (up to 300kW) capable of delivering up to 325 miles of range in as little as 20 minutes on some of the UK’s most prominent retail and leisure parks. Be.EV is majority-owned by Octopus Energy Generation’s £1.5 billion Sky Fund, which has pledged £110 million of funding. New safehandling service launched for repairers Automotive risk intelligence company Thatcham Research has launched an EV Alert service to support the safe and efficient repair of electric vehicles. The service will be accessible via ‘escribe’, a leading UK repair methods platform, which provides insurance engineers, vehicle damage assessors (VDAs) and repairers instant access to methods, recommendations, technical information, times, parts and ADAS fitment information. Dean Lander, head of repair sector services at Thatcham, said the service enables accurate decision-making during the assessment phase, helping repair teams identify critical steps for safe handling of EVs. “It also offers unmatched efficiency as repair technicians and VDAs can access crucial high voltage system information in just two clicks, avoiding hours of trawling through complex manufacturer documentation.” The service also covers a wide range of EV types, including full electric, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel-cell electric, and rangeextended EVs. Lander said: “Safety is paramount. Many bodyshops have already invested heavily in the skills and equipment needed to handle EVs correctly. EV Alert reinforces these investments, enabling repair teams to take on HV component jobs with confidence.” Visit https://www.thatcham. org/pf/escribe/ for more information.
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