Three UK electric vehicle organisations have called for mandatory battery health certificates to be introduced for all dealer-sold used EVs.
Electrifying.com, New AutoMotive and BatteryIQ say standardised battery State of Health certificates would give buyers clearer information and help remove one of the biggest barriers to confidence in the used electric vehicle market.
The call comes as Britain’s EV market continues to expand and the government reviews the pathway towards zero emission driving by 2035. The ZEV Mandate review consultation, launched in August 2026, is seeking views from manufacturers, charge point operators, dealers, consumers and wider industry.
Battery Transparency Seen As Key To Used EV Confidence
The organisations argue that consumers should have the same level of transparency about an electric vehicle’s battery as they already expect from an MOT certificate, mileage record or service history when buying a used petrol or diesel car.
Battery degradation remains one of the biggest concerns for prospective used EV buyers. However, the groups say the evidence increasingly shows that modern EV batteries are lasting longer than many consumers believe. They argue that the main issue is not battery condition itself, but the lack of clear, independent information available at the point of sale.
“Experts can keep telling car buyers they have nothing to worry about, but our research shows that message simply isn’t landing,” said Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com.
Research by Electrifying.com and The AA found that only 3% of surveyed drivers felt very confident buying a used electric vehicle, while 38% said an independently verified battery health certificate would increase their confidence.
Used EV Market Gathers Momentum
The call also comes as used EV finance grows quickly. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association’s July 2026 Leasing Outlook highlights rapid growth in used EV leasing channels, including salary sacrifice and personal contract hire.
Supporters of battery health certificates say this makes transparency more urgent. Every new EV entering the market today is likely to become a lower-cost used electric car in the future, making second-hand confidence central to the wider transition.
“The next stage of Britain’s transition to electric vehicles will be driven by the used market. Every new EV sold today becomes tomorrow’s affordable family car,” said Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive.
The UK Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate sets annual sales targets for manufacturers, with the aim of all new cars and vans being zero emission by 2035. However, the organisations say more action is needed to stimulate demand in the used market.
Battery Health Can Already Be Measured
BatteryIQ says the technology to assess battery condition already exists and could be applied more consistently across the market.
“Battery health is probably the single biggest unanswered question for used EV buyers, yet it’s also one of the easiest things to measure accurately,” said Nick Bailey, founder of BatteryIQ.
Independent analysis cited by the organisations found average battery State of Health above 95% across more than 8,000 electric vehicles, with many high-mileage EVs retaining more than 90% of their original battery capacity.
The groups say mandatory certificates would help buyers compare vehicles, reward owners who have looked after their cars and support stronger residual values across the used EV market.
Call For A National Standard
The organisations are calling on government to work with industry on a nationally recognised battery State of Health standard that can be applied consistently across manufacturers and retailers.
They want battery health information to be shown alongside MOT history, service records and mileage whenever a used battery electric vehicle is advertised or sold.
The proposal also reflects a wider global shift towards battery transparency. The European Union Battery Regulation introduces new lifecycle information requirements, including battery passports for certain battery categories.
Supporters say a UK battery health certificate could improve consumer protection, strengthen confidence and accelerate EV adoption without requiring large public subsidies.
FAQs
What is a used EV battery health certificate?
A battery health certificate would show the condition of an electric vehicle’s battery, usually through a State of Health assessment that compares current capacity with the battery’s original capacity.
Why are EV battery health certificates being proposed?
Industry groups say many used EV buyers are concerned about battery degradation, even though evidence suggests most modern EV batteries are performing better than expected. Certificates could provide clearer information at the point of sale.
Who is calling for mandatory battery certificates?
Electrifying.com, New AutoMotive and BatteryIQ are calling for mandatory battery State of Health certificates for all dealer-sold used battery electric vehicles.
Would battery health certificates apply to private sales?
The current call focuses on dealer-sold used battery electric vehicles, although a national standard could potentially influence wider market practice over time.
How could certificates help the used EV market?
They could increase buyer confidence, make vehicles easier to compare, support residual values and help consumers understand the real condition of a used EV battery.
