The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has launched the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme at an official launch event at the House of Commons.

EVA has been developed by NFDA and endorsed by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and aims to certify retailers’ excellence in the electric vehicle sector.

Speaking ahead of the official launch - in front of an audience of MPs at the House of Commons - Future of Mobility Minister, Jesse Norman, said: “Record levels of ultra-low emission vehicles on our roads are good news, as we seek to end the sale of new conventional diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040.

“The accreditation recognises businesses with knowledge, capability and commitment to electric vehicles, and will help to encourage more car owners to switch to a greener alternative.”

The official launch of EVA follows a pilot phase that ran from November 2018 to February 2019, which was launched at the AM LIve 2018 car dealer expo.

It includes a set of standards for electric vehicle retail and aftersales that have been established to ensure that the automotive industry is ready to embrace the electrification of the UK car market. 

NFDA’s director, Sue Robinson, said: “It is extremely positive to join forces with the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles and the Energy Saving Trust to develop EVA, an initiative which we expect to play a key role in the market transition to electric vehicles.

“EVA will certify the efforts franchised retailers are making in the EV sector to meet the fast-growing consumer demand and will enable them to clearly communicate to their customers their expertise in the sector."

The goal of the scheme, which is open to all retailers, is to recognise expertise and promote industry standards to benefit the consumer and support the growth of the electric vehicle sector.

The EVA accreditation is awarded to individual dealership locations that are independently audited by the Energy Saving Trust.

The independence of this process will give consumers the certainty that a retailer with the EVA accreditation is a leader in the sector.

The scheme will ensure that retailers are ready for the market shift towards alternatively powered vehicles for the benefit of UK motorists.

Energy Saving Trust’s head of transport, Matthew Eastwood, said: “EVA accredited dealers possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure their customers have a positive and well informed experience when buying new or used plug in vehicles.

"Giving consumers confidence and supporting the growing uptake of ultra-low and zero emission vehicles.”