Has Ford published a list of committed Model e Dealers yet?

[Mirak]

Raising the question of what level of DCFC service that Ford expects? Does anyone know what GM is requiring of it's EV dealers? I have noticed several area DCFC stations, listed by PlugShare, are Chevy dealers.

I may be misremembering, but I think I read that Ford is requiring 120kW minimum. These are the expensive units. Not the cheaper 50kW chargers.

Ah, here you go. From the article I linked above…

The problems begin with the requirement to install EV chargers. Certified storefronts need to pay about $500,000 up-front to install at least one publicly available DC fast charger putting out a minimum of 120 kW. Certified Elite storefronts need to pay about $1.2 million to install at least two DC fast chargers as part of the Blue Oval Network. Part of those funds also pay for upgrades like EV repair facilities, but they're mostly for chargers.

That’s a tough pill to swallow for a lot of dealerships and, frankly, of little benefit in many places. Seems more like a poison pill to kill off a lot of small dealers.

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[Mirak]

But you know, as I think more about it, maybe this is Ford’s effort at creating their version of the SuperCharger network. “If you want to sell our EVs, you gotta help fill in the charging network.” Are the dealers eligible for federal subsidies to install these things?

 

[minders]

I asked my dealership about this when I went in to place my '23 order at the end of August and was told they were going to buy in at the higher level. I was super shocked and pleased to hear that since I'm in a pretty small town and the dealership doesn't have/keep a lot of vehicles on the lot. It'll be nice to have another faster charger a few miles away from my house. The EA station close by has been down since the day I picked up the car thanks to a teenager setting the Walmart on fire.

 

[dbsb3233]

That’s a tough pill to swallow for a lot of dealerships and, frankly, of little benefit in many places. Seems more like a poison pill to kill off a lot of small dealers.

That's what I suspected from the start, that the DCFC requirement is a poison pill to keep most dealerships from selling EVs. Not to kill them off, but to keep them limited to ICE-only so that Ford can find a away to sell EVs direct to the public.

This DCFC requirement is so ridiculous that it seems intentionally prohibitive. And we'll end up with some high-volume big city dealerships that will comply (where there's already lots of DCFC, or will be soon), while the smaller rural dealership (where people are really hoping for DCFC) can't afford it and get edged out. Lose-lose.

 

[dbsb3233]

But you know, as I think more about it, maybe this is Ford’s effort at creating their version of the SuperCharger network. “If you want to sell our EVs, you gotta help fill in the charging network.” Are the dealers eligible for federal subsidies to install these things?

If Ford wants to build their own charging network, I'd think they'd pick far more useful locations to locate them than car dealerships. I can't think of a much worse location for drivers.

 

[DadzBoyz]

Small dealer is the only dealer within 350 miles. Maybe 10 to 15 Ford EV’S in town, no need for a DCFC at dealer, one size does not fit all, installing DCFC should make business sense and not be forced on a dealer - small, medium, or large.

DCFC is not the only requirement for Model E.
The primary pieces of the program are:
- A minimum number of Level 2 and DCFC's (different by level)
- Public access to Level 2 and DCFC (while they also have chargers dedicated to new car delivery and service). Part of their thinking is to use dealerships to enhance/build out their charging network. They make mention numbers along the lines of 87% or Americans live within 10 miles of a Ford dealership. 95% live within 15 miles of a Ford dealership. (Those aren't the exact numbers, but close)
- Dealerships have to have certified EV tech(s). The number of techs varies based on level.
- I believe there are also some other requirements around training, some dedicated EV space, etc.

I believe they've also built in some finance arrangements to spread the cost out a little bit.

 

[BMT1071]

It only makes sense that the dealer would be required to have a DCFC on-site for service. How else are they going to diagnose DCFC related concerns in a timely manner?? Once they have gone to the expense of bringing in the infrastructure to power one DCFC "handle" It shouldn't be that much more costly to add a couple of access points for sales/public use.

 

[AKgrampy]

DCFC is not the only requirement for Model E.
The primary pieces of the program are:
- A minimum number of Level 2 and DCFC's (different by level)
- Public access to Level 2 and DCFC (while they also have chargers dedicated to new car delivery and service). Part of their thinking is to use dealerships to enhance/build out their charging network. They make mention numbers along the lines of 87% or Americans live within 10 miles of a Ford dealership. 95% live within 15 miles of a Ford dealership. (Those aren't the exact numbers, but close)
- Dealerships have to have certified EV tech(s). The number of techs varies based on level.
- I believe there are also some other requirements around training, some dedicated EV space, etc.

I believe they've also built in some finance arrangements to spread the cost out a little bit.

Obviously I can’t speak for everyone but there is no need for DCFC if I live within 10 miles of a dealer (for me 6 miles.) I will charge at home. Also if I ever do DCFC I would rather have food, restroom, etc vs a stop at my dealer. The necessity of trained techs and specific equipment along with L2 chargers is already a requirement and makes business sense. I am just suggesting that the DCFC requirements do not make financial sense in many, if not all, cases. I do not think many of us would make that kind of a financial investment with no payback. If DCFC was lucrative then it would not take the VW settlement money and the huge government subsidy to get the equipment out in the public sector. Of course in my case if they opt out then there is no one to maintain my car or perform warranty work within 350 miles and no telling if that dealer would elect to opt in or not either.

 

[ThatGuyLando]

I want to know which Ford dealerships I should be giving my business too, especially for service.

For order's I highly recommend Granger Ford in Iowa, I got my mach e for 3% under MSRP and they never tried to upsell anything, even offered to come pick me up if I needed transportation. I think @Zach@granger is the manager there, they have an awesome team.

 

[Zach@granger]

For order's I highly recommend Granger Ford in Iowa, I got my mach e for 3% under MSRP and they never tried to upsell anything, even offered to come pick me up if I needed transportation. I think @Zach@granger is the manager there, they have an awesome team.

Thanks for the feedback! We appreciate the mention.

 

[AKgrampy]

It only makes sense that the dealer would be required to have a DCFC on-site for service. How else are they going to diagnose DCFC related concerns in a timely manner?? Once they have gone to the expense of bringing in the infrastructure to power one DCFC "handle" It shouldn't be that much more costly to add a couple of access points for sales/public use.

When my dealer adds gas they go to a local gas station to fill up. Could take the car there to check DCFC too. My guess is these days they just pull codes to determine a fault condition. But as I stated at some point it may make business sense to add DCFC.

 

[DadzBoyz]

Obviously I can’t speak for everyone but there is no need for DCFC if I live within 10 miles of a dealer (for me 6 miles.) I will charge at home. Also if I ever do DCFC I would rather have food, restroom, etc vs a stop at my dealer. The necessity of trained techs and specific equipment along with L2 chargers is already a requirement and makes business sense. I am just suggesting that the DCFC requirements do not make financial sense in many, if not all, cases. I do not think many of us would make that kind of a financial investment with no payback. If DCFC was lucrative then it would not take the VW settlement money and the huge government subsidy to get the equipment out in the public sector. Of course in my case if they opt out then there is no one to maintain my car or perform warranty work within 350 miles and no telling if that dealer would elect to opt in or not either.

This is where I've suggested that Ford open regional BEV service centers owned by corporate.
I live in Florida. For example:
4 Regional BEV Service Centers
1. Jacksonville (Northeast FL)
2. Miami (Southeast FL)
3. Tampa (Southwest FL)
4. Tallahassee (Northwest FL)

 

[dbsb3233]

It only makes sense that the dealer would be required to have a DCFC on-site for service. How else are they going to diagnose DCFC related concerns in a timely manner?? Once they have gone to the expense of bringing in the infrastructure to power one DCFC "handle" It shouldn't be that much more costly to add a couple of access points for sales/public use.

If they don't have their own DCFC, they just drive it to a DCFC station to test it, if needed. Not all that different than taking the car out for a drive to test out other issues on it.

If a dealership doesn't have a DCFC anywhere nearby to test, then fine, they can weigh the pros/cons of installing their own at that location. Kinda like how some dealers do windshield repairs/replacement themselves while others send the car out to a windshield shop when needed.

 

[Logal727]

Honestly, I think it doesn't make sense for most dealers to have DCFC on-premises. When I'm stopping at a fast charger, I want a place to buy food (or at least a bag of chips), soda, and a clean restroom. Now, I don't know about your Ford dealer, but mine ticks none of those boxes.

I think mandating every dealer install a DCFC is a mediocre way to plug gaps in the charging network in rural areas and just going to resort in unwanted and little used chargers in more built up areas.

You don't like to hang out in a dealer waiting room and watch non-offensive television content like the cats and dogs channel? cause even the weather channel is too political for some people

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