Tesla UK sales and delivery manager expressed strong optimism towards the used electric vehicle market’s potential to accelerate the widespread adoption at the recent EV Summit 2023.
Used EVs’ role in the widespread adoption
Manager Michael Oates reportedly claimed that used EVs will boost the shift to electric mobility and facilitate its mass uptake, according to CNBC.
Mr. Oates noted that the industry must develop strategies to promote EVs to new customers once early adopters join the mobility transportation.
“Once the early adopters have adopted, we need to start getting in front of new audiences, those who haven’t necessarily considered an electric car as their next purchase.”
Michael Oates, Tesla UK sales and delivery manager
That’s where used EVs will come in, as they can leverage their lower price than new units in attracting customers to buy an electric car.
“That’s why I believe that used cars are absolutely pivotal to ensure that as many people as possible can experience the sheer joy of owning and driving an electric car.”
Michael Oates, Tesla UK sales and delivery manager
Blooming market
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ data revealed a surge in used EV sales of 81.8% to 30,645 units in Q2 2023. This notable sales growth enabled the segment to boost its share of the market to 1.7%.
In addition, Cox Automotive also reported in April that the used EV market in the US started to grow rapidly as more units became available and “buyers snap them up.”
“Retail used electric vehicle sales — EVs sold through a licensed dealership — increased significantly in Q1, according to Cox Automotive data, up 32% year over year, to 42,753 units.”
Cox Automotive
Challenges
Despite the good news, Mr. Oates still warned that the mass adoption of used EVs may take a long time.
The Tesla manager noted that the used EV market is still “in its infancy, certainly compared to the new EV industry.”
The used EV market must continue to promote the benefits of its available units as the new EV market does to encourage customers to buy from them.
“…all of that really hard work that went into dispelling myths around range, around infrastructure, that led to that new car purchase … has to happen again, and again, and again, to an ever more skeptical audience in the used EV world.”
Michael Oates, Tesla UK sales and delivery manager
Moreover, it must manage to maintain affordable pricing to enable financially capped customers to buy an EV model from any brand they prefer.
“With our new cars starting at just under £40,000 (around $48,700), we recognise that not everybody is able to make that switch straightaway… ensuring that as many people as possible can switch from that traditional ICE vehicle into a used EV, from any manufacturer.”
Michael Oates, Tesla UK sales and delivery manager
The used EV market indeed has the potential to accelerate the widespread adoption of more sustainable mobility, considering its cheaper model offerings than new models. It can enable price-conscious customers to experience owning an electric vehicle, aiding them to understand its personal and environmental advantages.
