What this checklist covers
For many buyers the test drive is their first time in an electric vehicle. A good one answers the questions that hold buyers back (range, charging, how it drives) instead of simply driving round the block. This checklist sets out what should happen before, during and after an EV test drive.
The EV Test Drive Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for vehicle charge level, route planning, regen braking explanation, safety briefing, charging demo, and post-drive follow-up. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.
AutoSmart tip: The EV test drive is the most important tool for converting an EV-curious customer into a buyer. Customers who have concerns about range, charging, or driving feel need to experience answers, not hear them. Route selection and a well-timed regen braking explanation on a suitable road will do more to address range anxiety than any amount of brochure data.
The checks
Tap Yes, No or Maybe to try it: your answers stay in this page and clear when you refresh. For a detailed walkthrough, download our PDF or book a demo.
Vehicle readiness and charge level
- Is the EV test drive vehicle maintained at a minimum charge level that allows a meaningful test drive experience — not presented to the customer with a range anxiety-inducing low battery warning?
- Is the test drive vehicle inspected before each use, confirming no warning lights, fault codes, or charging system issues are present?
- Is the EV test drive vehicle representative of the model the customer is considering — correct drivetrain, battery size, and specification level — rather than a different variant that may deliver a different performance experience?
- Is the test drive vehicle's charge level replenished after each test drive, so the next customer is not disadvantaged by a depleted battery?
Route planning and regen braking explanation
- Is the EV test drive route planned to include road types that allow the customer to experience the powertrain's key characteristics — smooth acceleration, regen braking, and quiet cabin — not only urban stop-start driving?
- Is the route planned to include a section where regen braking can be experienced safely and demonstrated by the sales advisor?
- Is the regenerative braking system explained to the customer before departure — covering what it is, how it behaves, how to adjust it (where applicable), and that it differs from conventional braking feel?
- Is the energy consumption display or range indicator explained during the drive, helping the customer understand how driving style affects range — a common EV ownership concern?
Safety briefing and charging demo
- Is a safety briefing provided before the test drive covering EV-specific controls, one-pedal driving (where applicable), and any model-specific features the customer should know before driving?
- Is a charging demonstration included in the test drive experience where practical — connecting the vehicle to a charger, showing the charging process initiation, and explaining charging session management?
- Are the driving licence, consent, and insurance checks completed for EV test drives in the same way as conventional test drives — without shortcuts based on the assumption that the vehicle is safer?
Customer questions and post-drive follow-up
- Is adequate time allocated after the drive for the customer to ask EV-specific questions — range, charging network access, home charging, battery warranty — before any purchase discussion begins?
- Does the sales advisor have sufficient EV knowledge to answer first-level customer questions accurately without needing to defer all EV topics to a specialist?
- Is the EV test drive logged in the CRM with the customer's specific feedback and any questions they raised, to inform the follow-up conversation?
- Is a follow-up contact made within 24 hours of the EV test drive, addressing any unanswered questions from the session and providing relevant supporting information?
How to run it
How the scoring works
Before the visit, fill in the dealer or centre, the auditor, the date and the audit cycle. Then score each of the 15 checks from 1 to 5 on what you see on the day, not on what the site aims for, and add them up out of 75.
- 1Not in place
- 2Attempted
- 3Defined
- 4Managed
- 5Fully sustained
- Green60–75 · 80–100%Compliant. Keep the standard.
- Amber38–59 · 50–79%Improvement needed: a structured action plan within 30 days.
- Red0–37 · Below 50%Priority intervention, escalated to regional management.
Then close every gap
Each gap goes into the action plan tracker and moves through four stages until the auditor closes it.
- 1PendingOwner and close date set
- 2In progressWork under way, evidence gathered
- 3CompletedEvidence submitted for review
- 4ApprovedVerified and closed by the auditor
Questions about this checklist
What makes an EV test drive different?
The customer needs to understand regenerative braking, range and charging, not just how the car drives, so the briefing and charging demo matter as much as the route.
How charged should a demonstrator be?
Enough for the planned route with a margin, so range never becomes a worry during the drive.
Is there more on EV readiness?
Yes: see our article on how OEMs audit EV readiness in dealer networks, linked below.
