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Anyone know why so many electric cars are being removed from Motability lately?
And anyone have any insights into whether they may be coming back in the next two Quarters.
I’m due to change in December, & most of my shortlist has been removed in the last couple of months.
Removed ….
Alfa Romeo Junior
Cupra Born
Ford Capri
Ford Explorer
Renault Megane
Renault Scenic
Skoda Elroq
And now ‘Nissan Ariya’ Removed all but top versions.
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Supply.
Most are removed when orders exceed capacity and delays are above given limits. Manufacturers will hit a point where losing Scheme orders is less of a problem than losing retail customers due to unrealistic manufacturing delays. I know the Elroq, Explorer and Capri were removed for order number related reasons. The Ioniq 6 has a new facelift coming out imminently which then stops current model orders so that everything can be setup for the new car.
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I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
From what I’ve heard we can expect the return of the Ioniq 6 in the next half year. The Elroq will return when the order book is less full but I’d expect both cars to be more expensive than when they left.
For new EVs there’s the two IMs (5 & 6) but it’s unclear whether they’ll get to the scheme in a hurry or whether they see if the fleet sales pick up to their anticipated demand. If they do join it’s highly unlikely the performance version would as the insurance company would be very reluctant to allow a very high powered EV to be leased to drivers highly unlikely to have the performance training you’d hope a 700+BHP car would need. That said the long range of both cars aren’t slow and nearing 400 mile WLTP range it’s a very desirable option.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
There’s a new model of the Megane-e coming soon. In fact, they’ve removed it from the Renault UK website entirely.
From what I’ve heard we can expect the return of the Ioniq 6 in the next half year. The Elroq will return when the order book is less full but I’d expect both cars to be more expensive than when they left. For new EVs there’s the two IMs (5 & 6) but it’s unclear whether they’ll get to the scheme in a hurry or whether they see if the fleet sales pick up to their anticipated demand. If they do join it’s highly unlikely the performance version would as the insurance company would be very reluctant to allow a very high powered EV to be leased to drivers highly unlikely to have the performance training you’d hope a 700+BHP car would need. That said the long range of both cars aren’t slow and nearing 400 mile WLTP range it’s a very desirable option.
I hope they will, but I would assume the price in their first quarter on Motability will be unpalatable.
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Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.Motability Skoda Enyaq SportLine 85x April 2024 (unhappy customer - Ombudsman pending)
Motability Mazda CX-60 PHEV July 2023 (unhappy customer - early termination on mechanical grounds)
Motability VW Touran Family Pack May 2019 (happy customer)They need to take the e5008 off or edit the range to 200 miles if you drive like a granny. shocking figures
I was watching the latest ‘Harry’s Garage’ YouTube video last night, which was an extremely interesting update on the current car market, EV take up (or lack of it) and resultant job losses in the motoring industry due to falling demand for new cars (1.9m new cars sold in the U.K. last year, down from 2.6m around 10 years ago). It’s well worth watching.
Re Ford Capri and Explorer, Ford built a factory to manufacture them and it has a capacity of 250,000 cars a year. Current demand is only 19,000 a year and they’ve had to make 1,000 staff redundant. Also, across Europe, several other manufacturers have made, and are planning, thousands of job losses due to falling demand for new cars due to the EV mandates. No doubt there is an adjustment period which will be contributing to supply issues.
I attended the Motability Road show in Belfast on Saturday and spoke with the folks manning the stands. Many were local dealers but some were employees of the manufacturer.
I spoke to the Ford guy who said that the Capri and Explorer were removed because of excessive demand. The agreement they have with Motability does not allow them to alter price mid quarter so they can only control demand by removing cars completely.
I was led to believe they will return in October but most likely with a higher AP to slow demand.I attended the Motability Road show in Belfast on Saturday and spoke with the folks manning the stands. Many were local dealers but some were employees of the manufacturer. I spoke to the Ford guy who said that the Capri and Explorer were removed because of excessive demand. The agreement they have with Motability does not allow them to alter price mid quarter so they can only control demand by removing cars completely. I was led to believe they will return in October but most likely with a higher AP to slow demand.
With respect, those with a vested interest in selling them are never going to say that demand for one of their cars is below expectations, but the facts speak for themselves. Ford, like many manufacturers, are going through major changes due to poor sales and this is bound to have some knock on effect to Motability availability.
I attended the Motability Road show in Belfast on Saturday and spoke with the folks manning the stands. Many were local dealers but some were employees of the manufacturer. I spoke to the Ford guy who said that the Capri and Explorer were removed because of excessive demand. The agreement they have with Motability does not allow them to alter price mid quarter so they can only control demand by removing cars completely. I was led to believe they will return in October but most likely with a higher AP to slow demand.
With respect, those with a vested interest in selling them are never going to say that demand for one of their cars is below expectations, but the facts speak for themselves. Ford, like many manufacturers, are going through major changes due to poor sales and this is bound to have some knock on effect to Motability availability.
Thanks @kezo As I said, it’s nothing to do with strong demand, as demand is in fact very weak. There will obviously be some supply disruption for less profitable customers (Motability) as manufacturers shed jobs and adjust production to reflect the much lower than anticipated demand.
Low demand for EVs is myth!
What some legacy manufacturers mean is, There’s not enough demand for “THEIR” particular EVs.
First 1/2 of year registrations in Europe of Full Electric (BEV) for 2025 was: 1,193,397
For the first half of 2024 it was: 951,580.
An Increase year on year of +25%If “Ford Current demand is only 19,000 a year” that means they are getting Less than 1% of the over 2 million EV sales pr year.
I think it’s more to do with them being too expensive, and using out of date Volkswagen technology.
@Gazamb Low demand for BEVs is no myth! Don’t be fooled by looking at percentage increases – they are bound to be high as they are from a small base. The far more relevant figure is the percentage to total vehicle sales. In the first quarter of 2025, BEVs represented only 15.2% of new cars sold across the EU. Hybrid cars were 35.5% (this is the category getting good growth) and ICE cards 38.3%. Put another way, even now, out of every 6.5 cars sold, only one is a BEV.
The 19,000 figure is one Ford model, but I agree that as a brand they are way off the pace, although I suspect that the e-Puma (or whatever it’s called) will become the best selling car in the U.K. as it qualifies for the full grant.
If you want to understand the problems that low demand for BEVs are causing across Europe, I recommend the following video;
Dear god.
Forget about facts and figures, here is a Youtuber vid or an archaic car mag and as evidence for the debate.
Trump World is upon us ..lol..
Dear god. Forget about facts and figures, here is a Youtuber vid or an archaic car mag and as evidence for the debate. Trump World is upon us ..lol..
Utter nonsense. Harry Metcalffe is one of the most respected motoring journalists, even by other motoring journalists. There are countless facts and figures in the video, along with loads of articles about job losses across the motoring sector due to EV mandates which aren’t reflecting consumer demand. Keep your blinkers on if you wish though.
Harry Metcalffe is one of the most respected motoring journalists
Only my Gentlemen of a certain vintage. A lot of people see him as a dinosaur and a bit of a joke, making a load of coin off the gentlemen of a certain vintage via you tube. Is he still on the payroll at Jaguar?
Well, there is NOTHING blinkered about Facts and Figures. They are accurate unlike a Youtuber who doesnt believe in facts and only seeks controversy to bolster his views, it is the blind absurdity of hero worship.
Unfortunately the facts tell a different story. The Facts are that by 2030 there will be no ICE cars sold in the UK. The fact that EVERY year ICE sales are heavily taxed, and increasing as the countdown to 2030 approaches.
The FIGURES for EV sales and amount of Charge points are changing constantly. No matter what a youtuber states, his calculations are defunct before the article is published.
Yes there are challenges ahead, and the figures change every quarter. But technology will evolve and solve the problems with public charging and infrastructure.
Always youtubers paint a bleak and inaccurate picture, they are after all, only interested in the minions watching their rubbish, facts and figures are thrown out the window in the first sentence uttered.
We know who is blinkered….lol.
Can’t disagree. Used to watch Harry’s channel and found it entertaining but I noticed he was heavily biased and against EVs in general so stopped following him.
re the original question we can only guess what happens behind the curtains. Motability tries to get the best possible deal whilst manufacturers struggling with high cost for older platforms. Next gen cars (eg BMW neue klasse) will be significantly cheaper due to purpose build factories/assembly lines and cheaper battery cells and economy of scale. Chinese cars could fill the gap temporarily however they are rather expensive in the UK compared to Australia or Europe.
I attended the Motability Road show in Belfast on Saturday and spoke with the folks manning the stands. Many were local dealers but some were employees of the manufacturer. I spoke to the Ford guy who said that the Capri and Explorer were removed because of excessive demand. The agreement they have with Motability does not allow them to alter price mid quarter so they can only control demand by removing cars completely. I was led to believe they will return in October but most likely with a higher AP to slow demand.
With respect, those with a vested interest in selling them are never going to say that demand for one of their cars is below expectations, but the facts speak for themselves. Ford, like many manufacturers, are going through major changes due to poor sales and this is bound to have some knock on effect to Motability availability.
Obviously the word of a representative on a trade stand is not gospel and I would never take it as such.
With equal respect, if a manufacturer temporarily withdrew supply of cars to the largest leasing company in the UK, logic would say it was to cool demand rather than because they were not selling enough. If, as claimed by said rep, they return next month then logic would again back it up.Well, there is NOTHING blinkered about Facts and Figures.
Have you heard the expression “there’s lies, damn lies and statistics”? Facts and figures can always be quoted or ignored to suit an argument, it’s how both parties can claim the economy is both growing and shrinking and have the numbers to back it up.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
My last post on this.
I have been a contributor to this forum for many years. During this time there have been several other EV enthusiasts who have tried to shut down debate when I, and others, have offered a view that the mandates are unachievable and dates would have to change. Each time when we have been proved right these posters miraculously disappear and never return to apologise for their ridiculing posts.
The only prediction that Harry Metcalfe makes in the video is that he believes that EV take up will level out at about 50%. I’ve no idea whether that’s going to be proved right or not, but will it ever get to 100%?- absolutely not IMHO for a multitude of reasons that I won’t repeat again here. All the other figures used are industry provided statistics, not ‘made up to suit an argument’ and the press articles shown about sector wide job losses are mostly from trade and financial publications.
Harry Metcalfe was once engaged by Jaguar as a consultant on their new Special Vehicle Operations. That was years ago and he’s not ‘on their payroll’. Like all other motoring journalists (and the press in general) he was extremely critical of their recent brand relaunch. I first became aware of him when another reviewer (in his 30s, so no dinosaur) referred to him as the motoring journalists that other motoring journalists respect. I’ve never heard him referred to as a joke and think that’s a cheap shot.
It’s a great shame (and unique to this forum) that anyone who expresses a view that EV take up won’t be as high as governments hope is brandished ‘anti EV’ and ridiculed. He is certainly not anti-EV. Maybe the doubters should watch his review of the new Renault 5 EV which he raved about. All he is doing is saying what is, to most people (other than governments and those who steadfastly refuse to see the bigger picture) blindingly obvious.
New car sales are at much lower levels now than they were some years ago. EV take up remains low as a percentage of new cars sold (even now just 15% across the EU) and consumers are keeping their cars longer than ever. The average age of cars on U.K. roads is now 10 years old. That’s an average, so for every car that is less than 10 years old, there is one that is greater than 10 years old!
Is it a “fact” that by 2030 it will be impossible to buy an ICE car? No. It’s a target. These targets have moved before and if Europe wants a car industry left they will have to move again. Time will tell but, as before, I predict that those who are most vocal and ridicule those who suggest otherwise won’t still be posting here to eat humble pie when the inevitable happens!
Unfortunately the facts tell a different story. The Facts are that by 2030 there will be no ICE cars sold in the UK. The fact that EVERY year ICE sales are heavily taxed, and increasing as the countdown to 2030 approaches.
The standard VED rates for 2025/6 is now £195 regardless whether you have a zero emission car or a car with emissions producing over 255g/km. This does not account for the first year rate or cars that attract the luxury car tax from year 2 to 6, which now includes zero emission vehicles.
For ICE inc Hybrids, every litre of fuel purchased at the pump commands £0.53 fuel duty and 20% VAT. Come 2030 or whenever, the government will not say, well it was good whils’t it lasted the money pot will now shrink. They will look to applying similar duties to zero emission vehicles, in the same way, zero emission vehicles are now being charged VED at the standard rate and luxury car tax applies.
The initial date on the end of “new” ICE sales was 2030 across all of europe. The Tories then pushed the date back to 2035, after, it was confirmed mainland europe did so. Labour then came into power and moved the date forward to the orginal date of 203o. Although Labour will allow the sale of some new hybrids after 2030, this still puts the UK out of sync by 5 years with the mainland (EU) Regardless of what anyone thinks, this out of sync will pose a problem for the UK, as we import the majority of cars from the EU (the reason the Tories moved the date). Also EU manufacturers of pushing back transitioning to fully EV till closer to the end by date of 2035. Not only that, their has been talks going on for while in the EU, to push the date further back to 2040. Call me what you want, but the cynic in me, says Labour is playing the game to get people into zero emission vehicles, but as the clock approaches 2030, if still in power (doubtful), Labour will push back anf fall in line with the EU at the 11th hour.
Currently, as of the end of August 2025, there is approx 1,600,000 fully electric cars on UK roads., which rounds off to aroubd 4% market share, of which 3% sales are to lease and fleet companies. Thats a huge mountain to climb, to reach 34 million cars that are on our roads.
USED EV sales depreciation rates are much higher than equilulent ICE, which has also seen Motability impacted at 3yr lease end sell offs. Not only does this have a negative impact on AP’s, they are forced to follow government dreams, and by doing so Motability continue to subsidise EV’s.
Whether, it 2030, 2035 or 2040, ICE/Hybrid vehicles will continue to remain on or roads for many years after the ban on the sale of new ones. It goes without saying, that governments think us peasants are thick, yet we continue to find loop holes, to the laws they impose on us. Perhaps an on topic example of this is ULEZ, which has seen the continued uptake of Londoners buying older more polluting vehicles, that are exempt from the charges, simply because many can’t afford newer vehicles and will do what they can to avoid charges. This turns out to be a negative impact on what Khan first intended along with his money pot not, as full as firt thought. Even the City of London office, admitted Khans measures, will only extend a Londoners life by 15 minutes,whils’t at the same time making people poorer WOW! At the same time REE mining sees it’s surrounding villages and towns, buried in the waste, Cancer is ripe and the land and water polluted.
Obviously the word of a representative on a trade stand is not gospel and I would never take it as such. With equal respect, if a manufacturer temporarily withdrew supply of cars to the largest leasing company in the UK, logic would say it was to cool demand rather than because they were not selling enough. If, as claimed by said rep, they return next month then logic would again back it up.
If demand for a vehicle exceeds the limits of what a manufacturer first thought they would shift to Motability, the manufacturer will remove it from the scheme temprarily or permantly. Not because of overall market demand is too great, but rather the manufacturer is selling at a loss to Motability. By removing it, the manufacturer can renegogiate the value of the vehicle with Motability and put it back n the scheme, with an higher AP, similar to what Skoda has done with the Elroq recently.
Obviously the word of a representative on a trade stand is not gospel and I would never take it as such. With equal respect, if a manufacturer temporarily withdrew supply of cars to the largest leasing company in the UK, logic would say it was to cool demand rather than because they were not selling enough. If, as claimed by said rep, they return next month then logic would again back it up.
If demand for a vehicle exceeds the limits of what a manufacturer first thought they would shift to Motability, the manufacturer will remove it from the scheme temprarily or permantly. Not because of overall market demand is too great, but rather the manufacturer is selling at a loss to Motability. By removing it, the manufacturer can renegogiate the value of the vehicle with Motability and put it back n the scheme, with an higher AP, similar to what Skoda has done with the Elroq recently.
Thats kind of like saying Ford sold more cars on Motability than they had budgeted for, demand exceeded expectations so they removed to stop demand and bring it back after re negotiating. Exactly like I said in my opening post.
Can’t disagree. Used to watch Harry’s channel and found it entertaining but I noticed he was heavily biased and against EVs in general so stopped following him.
Is he biased though, after all he spent 4 years in one only to find it didn’t work for him. Perhaps his skepticism is fueled by the charging infrastructure that in England lags badly behind other european countries, depreciation values, daft ZEV mandates…
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