Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA) has set up the first ever used electric van training course for LCV dealer sales staff and fleet vendors.
Developed in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust, the course aims to help educate those involved in the used LCV market to get to grips with all aspects of used electric vans.
This includes the type of operator who would benefit from buying one, to tactics on how to successfully sell them, as well as how they work.
SVA will be running bi-monthly courses from its Shoreham boardroom from the summer through to the end of the year in small groups of 10. More courses can be accommodated if required.
The main aim is to establish greater buyer understanding and confidence to help create acceptance and demand for electric vans from trade buyers. SVA also aims to educate vendors to give them more confidence when setting future residual values.
Michael Simmons, SVA's operations director, has already put more than 100 dealer staff through the electric car training courses and expects similar levels of interest in the van courses.
'The combination of low running costs and zero emissions makes a lot of sense for small businesses whose vans only carry out local deliveries each day,' said Simmons.
'Our courses will help educate used buyers that there is a market for electric vans in their locality and how to exploit it.
'Many vendors will also find the courses useful. In the past they have been far too risk averse about underwriting electric van residual values due to the uncertainty of the future used market. Leasing companies should now look at writing sensible residuals which will help bring leasing costs down and fuel new van sales growth'
