Why aren't Ford dealers required to have fast chargers?

[RickMachE]

Okay okay, I'm not even yet a newbie. Still waiting for delivery and researching how to get outside of my metro bubble. But I can't imagine my wife sitting still while we wait for an hour to refill.....
Just not a good option.

300 mile trip in the winter across largely rural Wisconsin. Walmart Wausau and anything in Green Bay. Today there's nothing literally nothing fast. Now Tesla was the locations if everything created dc charging stations


No they don't have dealerships but they do have proprietary charging stations in locations like Wausa WI. Strange that Tesla can have charging stations and Ford and others need the US government to make them for them. And what ever happened to Ford getting access to Tesla stations, I heard that was coming, and then a year went by and nothing.

You clearly have some reading to do. You might want to start by understanding how much government subsidies Tesla has received. The number is around $5B.

As to Tesla opening its network to non-Tesla vehicles (not just Ford), you have your timing off. Not a year ago. On July 20, 2021 Musk tweeted this, followed by an announcement. Why is Elon doing this? Might have something to do with the $7.5B in government subsidies that is available, which he hopes to grab a nice piece of, don't you think? Even if you don't agree,

It could be a financial boon for Tesla, too, as Baglino said on an investor call Monday. “Increasing the utilization of the network actually reduces our costs, which allows us to lower charging prices for all customers, makes the network more profitable, allows us to grow the network faster. That’s a good thing there,” he said. Something that went unsaid: the possibility that opening up the network could make Tesla’s superchargers more appealing to government subsidy programs.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/28/...rger-elon-musk-open-network-charging-stations

Sponsored

 

[Maquis]

No they don't have dealerships but they do have proprietary charging stations in locations like Wausa WI. Strange that Tesla can have charging stations and Ford and others need the US government to make them for them. And what ever happened to Ford getting access to Tesla stations, I heard that was coming, and then a year went by and nothing.

This discussion was about dealer equipment. Now you're moving the goalposts.

Providing non-Tesla access to their Superchargers is totally on Tesla. They were to pilot the program in Europe before bringing it to the US. Given the likely cost to non-Tesla cars, I highly doubt I'd ever use one.

 

[Sam James]

I'm confused by Ford selling EV's and not at least requiring their dealerships to have fast DC charging stations. I'm nearing delivery of my Mustang Mach-E GT and likely won't be able to make a trip from Saint Paul MN to Green Bay without hours of slow charging. There are tons of Ford dealers along that trip, and not one of them has a fast charger.
Most of them don't even have a 240v plug. This doesn't meet my expectations at all.

As I've driven this route for years
. I expected no problem for this route with all the dealers. Then I stopped by the dealerships and found NOTHING at theses dealership to fill in the charging gaps. Does anyone else expect more from FORD dealerships?

I see an hour and a half charging for that trip, which doesn’t sound terrible. Two of those stops are EA.

That said, I’m all in support of dealers contributing to the charging network. Our VW/Porsche dealer has had free 50kw charging for years. I think a lot of VW dealers do now. I’ve already walked in a couple times for accessories and gear while charging

A local Chevy dealer also installed a HUGE $1.2 million solar array. That’s some forward thinking. As service revenue comes down they’re offsetting their electricity and fuel costs and potentially could install pay chargers too. I know they’ve installed a CCS station, but haven’t been by to see it yet.

 

[Chuck]

I'm confused by Ford selling EV's and not at least requiring their dealerships to have fast DC charging stations. I'm nearing delivery of my Mustang Mach-E GT and likely won't be able to make a trip from Saint Paul MN to Green Bay without hours of slow charging. There are tons of Ford dealers along that trip, and not one of them has a fast charger.
Most of them don't even have a 240v plug. This doesn't meet my expectations at all.

As I've driven this route for years
. I expected no problem for this route with all the dealers. Then I stopped by the dealerships and found NOTHING at theses dealership to fill in the charging gaps. Does anyone else expect more from FORD dealerships?

Not sure why anyone would have an expectation of a car dealer having a supply of fuel available for customers. I've been driving for 50 years and have never heard of that.

 

[TheCats]

You clearly have some reading to do. You might want to start by understanding how much government subsidies Tesla has received. The number is around $5B.

As to Tesla opening its network to non-Tesla vehicles (not just Ford), you have your timing off. Not a year ago. On July 20, 2021 Musk tweeted this, followed by an announcement. Why is Elon doing this? Might have something to do with the $7.5B in government subsidies that is available, which he hopes to grab a nice piece of, don't you think? Even if you don't agree,

It could be a financial boon for Tesla, too, as Baglino said on an investor call Monday. “Increasing the utilization of the network actually reduces our costs, which allows us to lower charging prices for all customers, makes the network more profitable, allows us to grow the network faster. That’s a good thing there,” he said. Something that went unsaid: the possibility that opening up the network could make Tesla’s superchargers more appealing to government subsidy programs.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/28/...rger-elon-musk-open-network-charging-stations

You are mixing different types of subsidies.

The bulk of the "government subsidies" for Tesla has been the EV tax credit for buyers. That incentive is *for buyers*, and applies to all EV manufacturers. Some even argue that it's unfair to Tesla (and GM) because it has long since run out for them.

There was the original government backed loan to Tesla in the Great Crash, which was repaid. Other automakers got a more lucrative mix of loans and direct subsidies, including $6B for Ford. Tesla used their loan to buy and equip the Fremont factory for Model S production. Depending on how you read the accounting, Ford largely used it to restructure their debt and provide customer financing.

As for the hope that dealers would install DCFC, even if they did, it would likely be placed behind the fence in the service area, inaccessible to customers.

 

[AlphaGK]

Do I expect more from Ford dealers...nope. Hard enough to get them to install Level-2's (they should have a few as they are required to be an "EV certified" dealer).

Do I want them to do better....sure.

Before you discount a dealer for not having any chargers, check plugshare first:
https://www.plugshare.com/

There are "EV Certified Dealerships"? Where do I find the list?

 

[newmme]

Looks like a good experience for non-Teslas.

 

[jeffdawgfan]

Dealerships want money.....there is no profit in them having complimentary chargers.

 

[ZuleMME]

While I'd agree any BEV selling dealer should have at minimum a DCFC capable of 10kw or so to "test" the vehicles subsystems work I don't agree they should have to provide full rate fast chargers. That's silly. But there has certainly been a couple stories around this forum of people who bought a Mach-E incapable of level 3 charging and the dealer sold it to them that way because of their inability to test it and know about it. While level 2 charging is fine for getting customer cars prepped for delivery I can easily see the case being made for a level 3 test bay even if it only gets used for a few minutes at a time and then needs a rest.

 

[JamieGeek]

There are "EV Certified Dealerships"? Where do I find the list?

If you go to Ford's dealership search tool and press the "advanced search" button you can limit your search to "EV Certified" dealers:
https://www.ford.com/dealerships/

 

[Chuck]

If you go to Ford's dealership search tool and press the "advanced search" button you can limit your search to "EV Certified" dealers:
https://www.ford.com/dealerships/

Not only is my dealer EV certified, they get great ratings from over 1,000 people...

 

[breeves002]

A little late on this but Ford requires an L2 charger to be EV certified. You don't need a DCFC. DCFC's cost a fortune in comparison to L2 so it may be tough for smaller dealers that want to sell EVs to be required to buy one.

 

[AlphaGK]

There are "EV Certified Dealerships"? Where do I find the list?

https://www.ford.com/dealerships/ And check the "EV Certified" checkbox

 

[agdad]

1 level 2 by service area, 2 fast chargers out front.

 

[newmme]

Looks like Superchargers opened up to more countries today. Bjorn (good channel) has one of the first videos showing the experience with the app and cost, etc. Good stuff.

Bjorn Supercharging Non-Tesla

The app experience is around the 4 min mark if you are interested.

Sponsored