I’m a car sales expert – here’s how new government rules could make EVs cheaper for everyone… even second-hand motors

RISHI Sunak’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate could make electric cars cheaper and bring down prices in the second-hand market, according to an expert.

Ralph Palmer, electric vehicle and fleets officer at Transport and Environment, says it will be a "no-brainer" for customers to move onto EV's.

The ZEV mandate is a set of strict rules that demand manufacturers ease the production of petrol and diesel models for electric cars.

But the Prime Minister has made some tweaks to ensure that those pressures are lifted off the manufacturers.

It follows his decision to push back his 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars by half a decade.

Mr Sunak predicts the EV manufacturing boost can help those adopt the new technology as costs will likely drop.

Speaking to the , Mr Palmer said: “What we know is that EVs are due to be about the same price upfront as petrol and diesel cars between 2025 and 2027 in Western Europe.

"The expectation is that cost will continue to come down, although it may have slowed in the last year or so due to supply chain constraints and inflation.

"But we will see that gap continuing to close with the cost savings and then it becomes a no-brainer for consumers to go into an EV - they are dirt cheap to run, easier to maintain and better to drive.

"From a consumer side I don't think there is a big risk at all."

The motor expert added that there will be a more robust and bigger second-hand market the quicker people move onto EV's.

The ZEV mandate will ensure that brands who fail to meet EV production targets could be handed £15,000 fines for every vehicle over the threshold.

Mr Palmer said manufacturers had been preparing for a ZEV mandate for “years” which would mean the scheme will have no negative effects for motorists.

When asked if the strict targets could cause issues for motorists, he said: “I don't think so. Manufacturers are already pivoting towards EVs anyway and in regards to the fines, that is a last resort within this regulation.

“The flexibilities that have been given to manufacturers will enable them to manoeuvre within the way the targets are set without necessarily having to pay the penalty.

“Companies now have enough time to sort out their EV production and sale plans so they can meet targets when the flexibilities are scrapped from 2027."

The £15,000 penalty has been enforced to ensure manufacturers are pivoting their operations towards EV's.

But Mr Palmer is confident that there isn't a risk of it being passed onto consumers.

Elsewhere, car insurance experts have said that repair claims for electric vehicles have more than tripled in the past three years.

The figures revealed by specialist warranty firm MotorEasy, who reported a 370 per cent increase in repair claims for electric cars.

And one EV owner has shared three reasons why he hates his motor after having it for just six months.

Vikas Kakar said that he "totally regrets" switching out his Mercedes S-Class for the EQC electric model earlier this year.