Stellantis Moves Toward Electrification With Its US Dealerships

Stellantis and its dealers are introducing comprehensive training programs to prepare their teams for the shift to EVs. This includes technical education for mechanics, sales training for associates to better connect customers with the benefits of electric vehicles, and administrative training to manage new incentives and finance options. Moreover, Stellantis is investing in infrastructure improvements at its dealerships to accommodate EVs, such as charging stations and specialized service bays, with assistance from Future Energy. The company’s objective is to ensure a seamless transition and positive customer experience as they embrace this innovative technology.

“As we accelerate the drive toward electrification, Stellantis is in full-execution mode with an electrification strategy designed specifically to address the needs of our dealership network,” said Phil Langley, head of network development, FCA – North America. “We are working lockstep with our national dealer council to develop and support their long-term plans during this industry-changing transition. From business operations and inventory management to service centers and employee culture, our goal is to work directly with our dealers to best prepare for, be successful in and address any challenges they may face as the automotive industry continues to move toward electrification.”

“Stellantis is demonstrating their commitment to their dealer network and supporting brand EV readiness by partnering with Future Energy to build a program to help their dealers prepare for the disruption of electrification and to develop a thoughtful approach to help their dealer network modify their business processes,” said Sam DiNello, CEO of Future Energy. “Never has there been a time when the automotive, utility, energy and other technology industries needed to align to be successful in this emerging market.”

To date, nearly 70% of dealers are in the process of assessing their individual readiness for this transition to electric vehicles. These comprehensive evaluations include:

• Identifying energy requirements, electrical infrastructure modifications, and necessary utility service upgrades to accommodate EV integration.
• Educating dealership staff on both short- and long-term operational impacts to their business purpose, people, place, and processes resulting from EV integration.
• Reviewing the technology solutions for EV charging and energy management.
• Calculating the charging needs to support different areas of their business, and pinpointing ideal installation areas for EV charging stations both inside and outside the dealership buildings to address any potential business flow challenges.
• Discovering all applicable financial incentive programs to assist with the costs associated with EV integration.

These steps are critical in ensuring the smooth integration of electric vehicles into the dealerships’ existing operations, and in maintaining the high standards of customer service that Stellantis and its dealers are known for.

In addition to the efforts by Stellantis, Future Energy is offering its services to facilitate the seamless integration of EVs into the dealership’s operations. These services include:

• Assisting dealerships in navigating the financial assistance application process to secure project funding support, thereby offsetting EV integration costs.
• Coordinating all aspects of construction, logistics, networking, and commissioning for the installation and activation of EV charging stations in necessary business areas.
• Providing technology solutions and infrastructure to monitor and manage energy consumption across their entire business in real time. This includes automation and monitoring features for better decision-making and cost reduction.
• Training staff on operational changes due to EV integration, sales strategies, and maintenance and usage of EV hardware.
• Ensuring ongoing customer support such as maintenance and warranty programs for the integrated infrastructure and hardware.

These support measures from Future Energy will undoubtedly contribute to making the transition to EVs smoother for Stellantis dealerships.

In a landmark announcement, Stellantis recently unveiled ‘Dare Forward 2030,’ an ambitious strategic blueprint aimed at leading the company into the future and cementing its position as a frontrunner in the automotive industry. This far-reaching plan calls upon every employee to strive for exceptional value creation across all stakeholders, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and aiming for a ‘second to none’ standing in the industry. A significant highlight of this daring strategy is Stellantis’ resolute commitment to combat climate change. The company has pledged to achieve carbon net zero emissions by 2038, positioning itself as the industry’s champion in this crucial global cause. This commitment not only aligns with global sustainability efforts but also reaffirms Stellantis’ dedication to fostering a more sustainable and environment-friendly automotive industry.

As part of its forward-thinking leadership, Stellantis is steering a path for a future dominated by battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The company has set ambitious targets, planning for 100% of its sales in Europe and 50% of sales in the United States to be BEVs by the end of this decade. Underscoring the scale of its commitment, Stellantis anticipates rolling out over 75 BEVs globally and aims to achieve global annual BEV sales of 5 million vehicles by 2030. In the U.S. market, the company’s strategy includes the offering of more than 25 BEVs by 2030. These initiatives are integral to the company’s strategic blueprint ‘Dare Forward 2030’, further demonstrating its commitment to sustainable mobility and reducing carbon emissions.