Battery uncertainty stops nearly half of trade buyers bidding on EVs

Nearly half (45%) of trade buyers are not bidding on electric vehicles (EV) on Dealer Auction because of unknown battery health.

Battery health certificates demonstrated clear value for online buyers.

Just over half (51%) of those surveyed selected a battery health certificate as the top item that would give them more confidence when bidding on an electric car.

This ranked above offerings including service history, EV-specific diagnostics reports and a third-party inspection

In fact, 45% of buyers would be more likely to bid on an EV with a battery health certificate than on an identical model without one. 

These certificates go beyond simply instilling confidence among prospective buyers; they also play a vital role in retailing EVs to customers.

The vast majority (90%) of respondents stated that a battery health certificate would be useful for marketing an EV to retail customers, with only one respondent saying it wouldn’t make a difference.

Furthermore, 63% believe a battery health certificate would improve the retail value of an EV and 33% said it would “possibly help with faster sales”. 

Dave Pretty, head of OEM and fleet relationships at Dealer Auction, said: “It is clear that battery health certificates are not just a 'nice to have’.

“As confidence is crucial among buyers, especially those shopping online, these certificates are a vital component of an effective electric remarketing strategy.

“For those looking to drive higher bid volumes and reduce price sensitivity, offering more clarity around battery health is a strategically sound initiative.”