Ford Revises Dealer EV Requirements to Ease Transition to Electric Vehicles
In a move that reflects the challenges faced in the transition to electric vehicles, Ford is making adjustments to the requirements imposed on dealerships to promote EVs to customers. The changes aim to alleviate some of the burdens on dealers and facilitate a smoother transition.
Reduced Training and Charger Installation Requirements
According to industry insiders at Automotive News, Ford is cutting the mandatory dealer training on electric vehicles in half. Additionally, the number of EV chargers that dealerships must install is being reduced. For instance, dealerships seeking the Certified Elite badge now only need to install three Level 2 chargers instead of the previous requirement of five. Furthermore, the obligation to build a Level 3 DC fast charger by 2026 has been completely eliminated.
Adjusted Requirements for Different Dealer Statuses
Dealerships aiming for Certified status, without the Elite distinction, are now only required to install two Level 2 chargers, down from the previous expectation of five. The deadline for completing these installations has also been extended until the end of next June. These modifications have been attributed to challenges in the supply chain and infrastructure.
Dealer Pushback and Legal Challenges
Industry observers speculate that these changes are a result of dealer pushback. Dealer Principals and Area Managers have expressed concerns about the cost, timing, and other practical aspects of implementing the previous requirements. In fact, a group of over two dozen dealers in Illinois successfully challenged the old program, arguing that it violated state franchise laws. One of the main points of contention was the cost of Level 3 chargers, which can be significantly higher than Level 2 chargers.
Dealers argued that slower Level 2 chargers were sufficient for conducting test drives and keeping EVs adequately charged. It is worth noting that Level 2 chargers are readily available from various providers for both commercial and residential use.
Maintaining Charger Functionality
One aspect that remains unclear is whether the agreements require dealerships to maintain the chargers in good working order after installation. If this requirement is not explicitly stated, there is a possibility that dealerships may neglect the chargers or remove them due to concerns about providing free electricity.
[Images: Ford]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.