NADA Announces Dealership Electric Vehicle Education Program with the Center for Sustainable Energy and Plug In America

In an exciting new development, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has announced a significant initiative aimed at educating franchised dealerships across the U.S about electric vehicles (EV). This effort, orchestrated in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Energy and Plug In America, promises to greatly enhance EV knowledge and acceptance at a national level. The dealership EV training program, fostered through this partnership, is further bolstered by the support of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. This influential entity is set to engage all vehicle manufacturers to ensure widespread dealership participation, further reinforcing the commitment to a sustainable future in the automotive industry.

As automakers persist in introducing more electric vehicles (EVs) into the market, equipping potential EV buyers with the necessary knowledge and expertise to make their first EV purchase with confidence is paramount for mass-market adoption and fleet turnover—more so than merely offering the product. This is where franchised new-car and -truck dealerships step into the picture. Consumers rely heavily on dealership sales and support staff to acquaint them with the ins and outs of current and future EV models, charging alternatives, EV infrastructure, necessary service requirements, and other aspects pertinent to EV ownership. Dealerships are thus positioned as the consumer’s trusted guide in their transition to cleaner, more sustainable modes of transportation.

“By bringing these two EV-focused powerhouse organizations together with NADA, we will efficiently educate dealers and help accelerate the mass market adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S.,” said NADA president and CEO Mike Stanton. “The dealership training program leverages the strengths of each organization and will ensure dealers are more than prepared to sell and service the EV future.”

The program, being carefully curated as an online, interactive experience, is engineered to smoothly integrate with OEM model-specific training. It offers a brand-agnostic review of essential content, gearing dealership sales staff with the requisite expertise to engage in effective and knowledgeable dialogues with potential EV customers. The training program is not solely content-intensive; it consciously adapts to appeal to varied learning styles. It incorporates short yet comprehensive modules, neatly distilling complex information into easily digestible talking points. This strategic approach empowers sales staff, equipping them with the confidence they need to efficiently close EV sales. The program underscores the importance of making the transition to electric vehicles, not as a daunting novelty but as a seamless progression towards sustainable transportation.

“The electric vehicle market is moving beyond early adopters to consumers who have lots of questions about what it’s like to own an EV,” said CSE president Lawrence Goldenhersh. “Auto dealer sales staff sit at the nexus in this market transition, and will be called upon to provide confidence-creating, point-of-sale education to millions of auto buyers considering the move to an EV. We are honored to be working with NADA to provide the training that will empower these sales teams to be a trusted resource to the auto buyers they serve.”

“The transition to electric vehicles is now inevitable and dealers play an important role in helping consumers as they make the switch,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America. “We are excited to work with NADA and CSE to help dealers educate consumers about the many benefits of EVs, from cleaner air to convenience to the great driving experience.”

Furthermore, sales staff who earn these certifications will be granted eligibility to participate in the all-new Dealer Referral Network. This network is a valuable consumer resource that helps them identify dealerships with staff who are trained and certified in EV sales. By being part of this network, dealerships can further enhance their visibility among consumers and boost the trust and confidence customers place in their services. All in all, the certification and subsequent participation in the Dealer Referral Network set the stage for dealerships to effectively facilitate consumers’ transition to more sustainable transportation options.

“The auto industry is undergoing a significant transformation, and preparing the workforce will be key as new electric vehicle technologies come to market,” said Alliance for Automotive Innovation president and CEO John Bozzella. “We look forward to working with our dealer partners on this program.”

For more information about the Center for Sustainable Energy, click here. For more information about Plug In America, click here.