GSF criticises government for neglecting independent aftermarket EV strategy

GSF Car Parts has urged the government to take a wider view of the issues facing the electric vehicle market, warning that hidden costs could await thousands of motorists if the independent aftermarket remains neglected.

Huge discounts, totalling more than £5bn last year, have put more EVs on the road as manufacturers try to meet ZEV Mandate targets. Now, GSF calls for more support for garages as the vehicle parc continues to age.  

Steve Horne, CEO at GSF Car Parts, said: “The garages we serve are the backbone of the UK automotive industry. They keep people on the road, older vehicles working like new, and are now increasingly feeling under equipped for the continued transition to EV.”

“I urge the government to consider the implications of having fewer garages ordinary people can turn to,” Horne added. “It would put more power in the hands of manufacturers, which are increasingly Chinese brands flooding the market with EVs featuring complex and unfamiliar technology. We need urgent support to help the aftermarket keep up, otherwise the costs of ownership will soar.”