SHOREHAM Vehicle Auctions, based in Lancing Business Park, has scooped a national award.

It came first for Innovation In Remarketing at the 2018 Fleet World Honours.

The independent car auction beat all-comers in this competitive category.

The category is based on its development of free half-day Electric Vehicle training courses for used car dealer and supermarket sales teams across the south of England.

Developed in conjunction with the Energy Savings Trust, the courses aim to educate dealers about electric cars and how dealers can sell them to new customers.

Michael Simmons, operations director at SVA, was on to hand to collect the award.

He said: “It’s nice to be recognised as an industry innovator and the fact we were up against national companies makes the award win even more satisfying.”

Judges from the Fleet World Awards said: “Recognising that slow demand among used buyers was affecting residual values for electric vehicles, Shoreham took the step of launching free training courses for dealers.

“These half-day sessions, developed with the Energy Saving Trust, help dealers to educate potential customers about the technology.

“It’s an important step towards supporting a growing market.”

The Energy Saving Trust is a social enterprise with offices in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It works with householders, governments and businesses.