Dealers should consider repercussions of maintenance-free electric cars.

Network Automotive says dealers should look at the Think City electric car, which requires no scheduled dealer maintenance.

“There is no indication that the wave of electric vehicles that is coming from major manufacturers will be as maintenance-free as the Think City," Colin Bruder, managing director, said. "However, they will probably require much reduced and less frequent maintenance regimes compared to petrol and diesel models.”

Dealers will have to look at how to replace lost revenues from the fewer services that electric cars will require.

This is likely to be more of an issue as sales of new electric cars are predicted to increase significantly in January when the £5,000 government grant comes into play and cars from Mitsubishi, Nissan and Renault hit the showrooms.

“If drivers have no good reason to visit a dealership at least once a year for servicing, then how is that revenue replaced? Who is checking tyres and other wear items to ensure that they remain in good condition? At a more fundamental level, how is any relationship maintained with the new car customer?," asks Bruder.