{"id":840,"date":"2026-07-16T11:44:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/library\/ev-test-drive-checklist\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:31:33","slug":"ev-test-drive-checklist","status":"publish","type":"libraries","link":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/library\/ev-test-drive-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"EV Test Drive Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What this checklist covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"as-chktip wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AutoSmart tip:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The checks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checks is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"as-checks__note\"><span>Tap Yes, No or Maybe to try it: your answers stay in this page and clear when you refresh. For a detailed walkthrough, <a href=\"#get-pdf\">download our PDF<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/book-a-demo\/\" data-as-track=\"demo\">book a demo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vehicle readiness and charge level<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">01<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the EV test drive vehicle maintained at a minimum charge level that allows a meaningful test drive experience \u2014 not presented to the customer with a range anxiety-inducing low battery warning?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">02<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the test drive vehicle inspected before each use, confirming no warning lights, fault codes, or charging system issues are present?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">03<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the EV test drive vehicle representative of the model the customer is considering \u2014 correct drivetrain, battery size, and specification level \u2014 rather than a different variant that may deliver a different performance experience?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">04<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the test drive vehicle&#039;s charge level replenished after each test drive, so the next customer is not disadvantaged by a depleted battery?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Route planning and regen braking explanation<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">05<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the EV test drive route planned to include road types that allow the customer to experience the powertrain&#039;s key characteristics \u2014 smooth acceleration, regen braking, and quiet cabin \u2014 not only urban stop-start driving?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">06<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the route planned to include a section where regen braking can be experienced safely and demonstrated by the sales advisor?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">07<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the regenerative braking system explained to the customer before departure \u2014 covering what it is, how it behaves, how to adjust it (where applicable), and that it differs from conventional braking feel?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">08<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the energy consumption display or range indicator explained during the drive, helping the customer understand how driving style affects range \u2014 a common EV ownership concern?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safety briefing and charging demo<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">3 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">09<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">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?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">10<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a charging demonstration included in the test drive experience where practical \u2014 connecting the vehicle to a charger, showing the charging process initiation, and explaining charging session management?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">11<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are the driving licence, consent, and insurance checks completed for EV test drives in the same way as conventional test drives \u2014 without shortcuts based on the assumption that the vehicle is safer?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer questions and post-drive follow-up<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">12<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is adequate time allocated after the drive for the customer to ask EV-specific questions \u2014 range, charging network access, home charging, battery warranty \u2014 before any purchase discussion begins?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">13<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">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?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">14<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the EV test drive logged in the CRM with the customer&#039;s specific feedback and any questions they raised, to inform the follow-up conversation?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">15<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">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?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions about this checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What makes an EV test drive different?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How charged should a demonstrator be?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enough for the planned route with a margin, so range never becomes a worry during the drive.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is there more on EV readiness?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes: see our article on how OEMs audit EV readiness in dealer networks, linked below.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Run EV test drives that sell: a charged car and a planned route, a safety briefing, regenerative braking and one-pedal driving explained, a charging demo and follow-up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_as_roles":"Sales consultants, EV product specialists, sales managers","_as_frequency":"On every EV test drive, with a monthly sample 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