ABM_1 - Flipbook - Page 20
OPINION
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Essential solutions,
F
or decades, dealers
have thought about the
likes of tyres, batteries
and wiper blades as
consumables – essential
items that inevitably need
replacing. They are staples
of the aftersales business
model and fundamental to keeping
customers moving.
However, as the UK fleet transitions
to electric, electric vehicle (EV) charging
cables are expected to join that list and
be treated with the same seriousness.
Unlike some traditional consumables,
they are fundamental to the EV driver’s
experience. Dealers that understand
this – and can offer the right solutions
– will build trust, improve customer
satisfaction, and unlock new revenue.
The truth is, most EV drivers need more
than one cable. For example: a 7.5-metre,
22 kilowatt (kW) cable is ideal to keep in
the boot for public charging, a 15 metre,
7kW cable can be indispensable at home
when the charger is installed some
distance from the parking space, while
a portable charger should be ready for
visiting family. Just as no dealer would
hand over a new car without ensuring the
right tyres are available, EV cables should
be part of the same conversation.
Getting it wrong can leave a driver
stranded or dissatisfied in a way that
damages confidence in both the brand
and the dealership.
What makes cables more complicated
than wiper blades is the technical
nuance. Plug types, amps, and phases
are unfamiliar territory for many sales
and service teams. A common mistake
is assuming that any cable with the
same rating as the car will do the job.
In practice, not all chargers and cables
are compatible in the way people expect,
which often leaves drivers charging
at half the speed they should be. The
simple rule is that choosing a higherrated, versatile cable usually ensures the
car can charge at its maximum speed,
whether at home or in public.
Another overlooked factor is length.
2058
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS Q4 2025
→ Graham O’Reilly is co-founder
at Wottz, owners of evcables.com
Drivers often believe that the standard
limits cables to around five metres,
and end up paying thousands for
groundworks to move a charger closer
to their car. In fact, the standard allows
up to 50 metres, meaning a longer cable
is often the simplest, cheapest solution.
It doesn’t take long for staff to get
up to speed, but training on this oftoverlooked part of the EV experience can
set dealerships apart.
Once dealers are equipped with
knowledge, the next step is fulfilment.
Stocking and supplying cables cannot
be left to chance; customers expect
dealers to provide solutions on
demand. Increasingly, drivers also want
customisation, whether that’s a specific
length, a brand coloured finish, or even a
dealer-branded option.
The fleet perspective
The importance is not just for retail
customers. For fleets, cable management
is vital. Under the Electricity at Work
Regulations, employers have a legal duty
to maintain electrical equipment in a
safe condition, and as the IET Code of
Practice points out, that now includes
testing EV cables. Damaged or untested
cables create compliance risks, and if
an incident occurs the liability can be
significant. Operationally, the impact
is also direct. A missing or faulty cable
takes a vehicle off the road, undermines
utilisation, and adds cost.
All of this is happening against the
backdrop of an EV market that is still
young, but growing rapidly. According to
Zap-Map, there are now more than 1.6
