Britain's first contactless car vending machine has been unveiled by Auto Trader, offering motorists a haggle-free way to purchase a new car.
The bespoke vending machine, installed at Spitalfields Market, allows purchases of up to £21,000 via contactless payment using a smartphone.
It contains a brand-new Renault Zoe, which is one of the most searched for electric cars in the country, according to Auto Trader.
The vehicle comes with a "pre-haggled" price of £16,000 - down from the recommended retail price of £22,470.
Auto Trader said a team of six engineers spent three months designing and building the automatic car dispenser.
A custom-made point of sale system and key release function was created, along with an integrated payment and door release mechanic.
The vending machine is designed to help motorists overcome the embarrassment and discomfort of haggling over the price of a new car.
In survey of 2,000 British motorists by Auto Trader, 41% said that having to haggle, negotiate and barter with someone on price was top of their list of anxieties about buying a new car.
This is followed by hidden costs (39%), worrying about making the wrong decision (28%) and having to wait a long time to receive a car after buying it (25%).
"Buying a brand-new car is an exciting experience, but it can often be tarnished by anxiety around haggling and knowing whether you’re looking at the right price," a spokesperson for Auto Trader said.
"So today we're showcasing a real-life version on what can be found on Auto Trader; brand new cars at transparent pre-haggled prices that you can drive away today.
"The only difference is that this Renault Zoe can be purchased at the touch of a card, testing London car buyers’ appetite for electric cars as well as a more instant purchasing future."
Auto Trader claims there has been a 60% rise in electric car registrations over the past year.
Three-quarters of Brits (74%) would consider driving an electric car today, with nearly 4 in 5 (78%) admitting to being concerned about their carbon footprint when it comes to buying a new car.
A whopping 85% of Brits also find that the stigma around buying and owning an electric car has now gone, with over half 54%) admitting they would go electric next time they buy a new car.
Additionally, when it comes to pollution and emissions in London, well over 7 in 10 (77%) Brits believe only electric and hybrid cars should be used in London.
