Like a petrol or diesel engine, an EV battery is the most important – and most expensive – component to consider when buying a used car.
Drivers have been stung in the past when they buy an apparently reliable car, only to have the engine die on them soon afterwards.
While a new engine is an expensive bill no one wants, especially on a vehicle they have recently purchased, it is dwarfed by the cost of a replacement EV battery, which can be anywhere between £3,000 to £20,000, depending on the vehicle.
Health check
With so much money at stake, it can be too big a risk to take to trust someone’s word that an EV’s battery still has plenty of charges left in it.
Motor Trade News says this is one of the reasons second-hand EVs can take longer to sell. But it reports that battery diagnostic expert Generational has come up with a solution that is speeding up the process.
Generational’s research has found that EVs sell faster with a battery health certificate, confirming the state of the power source.
It discovered that used EVs with a clean battery health certificate sold in 43.1 days — 7.3 days faster on average than those without, which took 50.4 days to sell.
Generational CEO Oliver Phillpott told Motor Trade News: “This latest data shows just how powerful clear battery health information is in driving buyer confidence and speeding up sales.”
He said these figures show that buyers want clear, accurate, and reliable information on the health of EV batteries.
Reassurance
When buying a petrol or diesel car, one of the first things people check is the mileage. Combined with a test drive and the overall appearance of the car, this helps them judge its reliability and value.
They would need to pay a mechanic to carry out an intrusive inspection of the engine to guarantee the condition of cylinders, pistons, gaskets, etc.
But battery health certificates can give them even greater detail and reassurance about the health of the power source.
Generational’s diagnostics provide verified information on a vehicle’s battery condition, realistic range, and remaining warranty, helping drivers and those in the motor trade make informed decisions when purchasing used EVs.
While a vehicle with a lower range and shorter battery life is not necessarily an immediate red flag, the information can be used when negotiating a price — or getting the seller to replace or guarantee the battery before the transaction goes ahead.
Mr Phillpott said: “This latest data shows just how powerful clear battery health information is in driving buyer confidence and speeding up sales.
Details matter
“In the electric era, customers want to know far more than just age and mileage – they want to understand how the battery is performing, what range they can expect in the real world and how much warranty remains.
“Our mission is to deliver that clarity. With transparent, trusted battery health data in hand, buyers can make quicker, more confident decisions, and dealers can sell vehicles faster and more profitably.
“It’s a win-win – and a key part of building a healthy, sustainable market for used EVs.”
The more information a buyer has about the condition of an EV and especially its battery, the better they are placed to decide whether to go ahead with the purchase and, if they do, to be able to negotiate a price that matches the condition of the battery.
