EV Chargers for Dealership Servicing and Vehicle Storage
Industry Shift to EV
Although EVs are relatively new to the market, more car companies are manufacturing alternative fuel vehicles to add to their product lines. By 2050, Statista projects that eight out of ten vehicles sold will be electrically powered. To maintain a competitive advantage, dealerships can take advantage of Future Energy’s ChargeParc™ solution to prepare for this industry shift.
New Opportunities for Dealerships
Because EVs have fewer parts and fluids, they require less maintenance than traditional gasoline cars. EV owners save an average of 50% on costs associated with repairs and maintenance over the lifespan of their cars, according to Consumer Reports.
For this reason, dealerships may experience an initial loss in revenue after EV adoption. However, dealerships can make up the difference by identifying new opportunities for generating revenue and attracting customers.
EV Chargers for the Home
The International Energy Agency states that there were 6.5 million private EV chargers in use as of 2019. With self-service options becoming more popular, many customers will prefer to charge their EVs at home.
Carrying a selection of branded home-use EV chargers can generate additional after-sales opportunities for dealerships. To keep the customer informed of the dealership’s offerings, salespeople can incorporate these accessories into their sales pitches, along with applicable marketing materials.
With the Future Energy solution, dealerships can custom-brand these EV chargers, which can increase the dealership’s visibility and brand awareness in the community.
Public Charging Stations
Along with selling EV chargers for residential use, dealerships can install branded public charging stations. This not only promotes an image of innovation and sustainability but can also generate new revenue.
Public charging stations can attract current EV drivers to the dealership—these drivers will be able to see those stations on their mobile EV apps. A stop for charging can turn into a customer acquisition.
Furthermore, public chargers may tempt curious non-EV drivers to stop in and have a chat with sales staff about EVs.
Dedicated EV Service Departments
Although EVs generally require less maintenance, dealerships should still anticipate EV owners bringing in their cars for servicing. To attract more business, dealerships can build out their service departments specifically for EVs with the goal of becoming go-to regional destinations for EV servicing.
Many car companies recommend routine checks of EVs by a trained technician to ensure smooth operation. Moreover, tire rotations, suspension repairs, and air filter replacements are relatively common for EVs. In addition, all EVs will eventually need new batteries.
Advantages of Networked EV Chargers
Non-networked EV chargers are limited in their functionality. To monitor power usage, dealerships with standard EV chargers will have to buy separate meters.
On the other hand, networked EV chargers connect to the cloud and have more capabilities, especially better power usage monitoring. Dealerships that implement ChargeParc have the benefit of using Future Energy’s proprietary software, Interface™, which captures data across multiple EVs and EV chargers in real time, keeping track of it all on one dashboard.
Remote EV Inventory Monitoring
Networked chargers enable remote monitoring of a dealership’s resources. Using Interface™, dealerships can track the charge levels of any number of vehicles on lots or in storage. Dealerships are also able to generate reports that include helpful metrics, such as total energy used per day and average length of a session.
Improved Customer Service
When a customer brings in their electric vehicle for maintenance or repairs, they expect their car to be operable upon pickup. Returning an EV with a low or depleted battery can frustrate customers, and even cause them to go elsewhere for regular maintenance. Many customers will sever a relationship with a business due to poor or inadequate service.
Using Interface™, dealerships can monitor the charge levels of cars in storage or servicing and will know in real time when a car doesn’t have enough charge. This helps to ensure that customer vehicles will have a full charge when their owners return to pick them up after servicing.
In addition, if a customer wants to buy an EV in storage, the vehicle will be ready for the customer to drive it off the lot right away—this also applies to customers looking for EVs to test-drive.
Factors to Consider for Installation of EV Chargers
Integrating EV chargers into dealership servicing and vehicle storage is essential for any dealership looking to sell or service EVs. However, dealerships should account for a number of factors when incorporating EV chargers into their service delivery.
Electrical Infrastructure
Depending on existing infrastructure, dealerships may find that they need to increase their overall electrical capacity. Electricians may have to upgrade or replace electrical panels to generate enough power for EV hardware.
Future Energy provides a concierge-style service to dealerships that can help find and secure funding to help with infrastructure upgrades. We can take care of the paperwork and coordinate with the electrical contractors and utility company so that you can focus on what you do best.
Energy Management
When dealerships move to EVs, they can expect an increased electrical bill. To manage energy costs, dealerships can monitor their electrical usage using Interface. It can alert dealerships when they reach their peak load demand so that they can take actions to ensure they don’t go over budget.
A Strategy for Dealership Servicing and Vehicle Storage
Moving to EVs and setting up EV chargers is a great way for dealerships to communicate a brand of innovation and generate additional sales. However, it is widely recommended that dealerships work with an approved contractor to develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating EV chargers into dealership servicing and vehicle storage.
Future Energy’s dealership solution delivers a complete, turn-key strategy to enhance sales conversion, after-sales opportunities, inventory management, power-use management, financial assistance and more. Learn about its comprehensive solutions here.
Included with Future Energy’s EV dealership solution
Future Energy’s complete, EV vehicle charging solution delivered as a turn-key environment.
Future Energy’s data visualization and management dashboard that connects all intelligent building systems.
Future Energy’s intelligent building systems solution that integrates your property’s lighting, climate, safety monitoring and more.
Rebates & Financial Incentives
Growing into the world of electric vehicles has never been more affordable or easier. Incentive programs include an array of combinable credits that can potentially cover all of the cost of your EV charging installation. Contact us to find out what funding is available to you.
