EVs top dealership challenges in 2025
Electric vehicles top dealership challenges in 2025 with 62% saying its their biggest concern compared to 45% who cited EVs as their number one issue three months ago.
This is according to Startline Motor Finance, which polled 58 dealers and published the findings in February’s Used Car Tracker.
Meanwhile, other rising concerns include a reduction in desire for car ownership, up from 28% in December to 33%, and staffing costs, which has risen from 24% to 28%.
Paul Burgess, Startline Motor Finance chief executive, said: “It’s not easy to say why dealers have suddenly become more negative about electrification after a gradual improvement in sentiment over quite a long period in our Tracker research.
“However, our guess is that the ZEV mandate consultation and a range of other news such as the closure of the Stellantis plant in Luton have had a negative impact. We’re in an odd moment where electric car adoption is increasing quite quickly in both the new and used sectors but the mood music around them feels sometimes uneasy.”
Meanwhile, concerns that have receded since December include finance availability, compliance, stock shortages, and premises costs.
Burgess said: “While few of these changes are substantial month-on-month, they do suggest a slight lightening of their mood in some areas where dealers have held longstanding concerns. It’s especially interesting to see a big fall in worries over premises costs, where rates, rent and running costs have been rising for some time.”
