Unless you know exactly what you want and are willing to spend your money and wait, it can be difficult to find an electric vehicle in the dealer’s inventory to test drive and buy.
While anyone who’s bought a new electric car in recent months knows it, the latest nationwide study of the electric car shopping experience from the Sierra Club, on Monday, underscores the popularity of this problem—and how it is hindering electric vehicle adoption.
The Electric Vehicle Rev Up Reportreleased shortly before EPA hearings on its proposal tightening standards for light vehicles through 2032, resulting in projected EV sales of 67% by that time, suggesting that dealers are no longer the weak link in getting electric vehicles into the hands of customers, but rather manufacturers themselves. car.
The report found that nearly two-thirds of dealers do not have an electric vehicle for sale, while 44 percent of dealers would have an electric vehicle for sale if they could afford it.
Design Honda’s future dealership to sell electric cars – 2022
In the Western Region, which will account for 45% of US electric vehicle sales by 2022, only 27% of dealers have electric vehicles for sale. And overall, while electric vehicle sales are much higher in the California Zero Emissions (ZEV) states, the likelihood that dealers have electric vehicles in stock in those states is not much higher than in the rest of the states. of the country— 35% versus 33%, respectively.
Research shows that there is essentially no difference when comparing dealers in 23 states that allow direct sales with those in states that do not.
The results are based on a national survey conducted between June and November 2022, using results from randomly selected dealers in each state.
Across the brands, Mercedes-Benz offers the best EV offering, it says, with electric vehicles available for sale at 90% of the luxury brand’s dealerships. Toyota and Honda were ranked worst, with 15% of Toyota dealers.
EV Availability by Car Manufacturer – Sierra Club Improvement Study 2023
How do dealers get more EVs? Simply put, this year’s survey results point to a clear solution: Automakers need to produce more electric vehicles. They also need to provide free or affordable electric vehicle certification to dealers, and increase marketing and advertising for electric vehicles.
“While some dealers are still reluctant to fully accept electric vehicles, many dealers are expressing a newfound eagerness to sell electric vehicles,” Sierra Club said during the rollout. “However, manufacturers have a responsibility to make more electric vehicles available to all dealers.”
“The bottom line is that automakers must invest more in electric vehicle production to meet record high consumer demand,” it summarizes.
Lincoln Stores and Dealers
The problems slowing electric vehicle sales have changed dramatically. Back in 2016, the first version of this survey showed dealers general lack of knowledge about electric vehicles and not everyone is interested in selling them. A 2019 version of this survey found that the electric vehicle sales experience failed at a lot of dealerships, with many simply saying not ready to sell electric cars.
Now, dealers are no longer the choke point. And many stores are probably used to the fact that not having electric cars for sale is a loss. Households that have decided they want to buy an electric vehicle are more likely to postpone the purchase altogether than to switch to another gas- or diesel-powered model. A recent study from Consumer Reports’ advocacy division found that pent-up demand from a limited supply of electric vehicles will reduce the potential market for internal combustion vehicles, leading to reduced market share for car manufacturers do not want to rapidly ramp up production of electric vehicles.
In the midst of budding electric car price war, that will require companies to quickly overcome supply chain problems and cut production costs. You can bet that the dealer is asking for it this time.
