EV group purchase leads to 112 orders

The group purchase of an EV organized by the Flemish authorities is finished. Between half of January and half of May, 112 new electric vehicles were ordered through the initiative.

In 2020, the Flemish government wants 60.000 electric cars on the streets. Until now, there are 13.000, so there is still a significant way to go. Nevertheless, the Flemish Energy Minister, Lydia Peeters (Open Vld), considers the initiative a success.

3.000 queries

Some 3.000 people showed some interest in the internet site www.samenelektrisch.be. After telephonic selection, 1.748 were sent to the dealer of their model choice. Potential buyers could choose between small cars (Renault Zoé or Peugeot iOn) and compact cars (Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Kona).

Of these dealer visitors, 112 bought an electric car during the 4-month duration of the action. Not an overwhelming number, but purchase organizer Bobex insists that a sales ratio of 6,4% of showroom visitors is exceptionally high.

In the same period, the authorities gave 395 purchase premiums for electric cars, so the group purchase constituted between one-fourth and one-third of total sales. The Renault Zoé R90 was the most popular car, by far, with more than half of the sales (57).

Mixed feelings

The Flemish authorities are, of course, obliged to be enthusiastic about their initiative. However, there were mixed feelings about the initiative. Otherwise, it would have been repeated.

“Organising a group purchase is no core task for authorities,” says Peeters. “The market should take the initiative, but the next government will decide on this.”

The fact that you could easily have the same conditions as the group purchase at practically every dealership didn’t help. And, as a matter of fact, you were even able to buy cheaper, in case of the Renault, for example.

112 elektrische auto’s verkocht, en da’s een succes