American legacy automaker General Motors (GM) announced its Dealer Community Charging Program in late 2021 to expand EV charging access to urban areas and underserved communities. GM plans to sell a million new electric cars annually in North America and China by 2025. The automaker’s Dealer Community Charging Program will help turn its plans into reality by educating the buying public and providing a reliable charging infrastructure to support the burgeoning demand for zero-emissions vehicles.
“Our dealers are an important enabler of our all-electric future and, in many cases, will be the catalyst for EV adoption in communities that would otherwise have limited EV infrastructure,” said Hoss Hassani, Vice President of GM EV Ecosystem. “Our dealers are deeply involved and trusted in their communities. They are well-positioned to determine locations that expand access to EV charging, including small businesses, entertainment venues, schools, and other popular destinations.”
More Charging Stations, The Merrier
GM’s Dealer Community Charging Program intends to nearly double the number of Level 2 public charging stations across the United States and Canada. Wheelers Chevrolet GMC became the first dealer to join the program and has recently installed new charging stations at parks and other locations around Marshfield, Wisconsin. Next came Young Chevrolet Cadillac. The dealership recently commemorated its first charging stations at the Memorial Healthcare Wellness Center in Owosso, Michigan.
Participating dealerships could receive up to ten 19.2 kWh Level 2 charging stations, and GM refers the dealers to installation providers to map out the ideal charging locations around crucial community locations. GM has selected Canadian EV charging expert FLO to supply the initial batch of charging stations under the Dealer Community Charging Program. FLO operates an EV charger manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Furthermore, GM expects dealerships in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, and Washington to open their first Level 2 charging stations in the following months. GM also said Buick, GMC, and Cadillac dealers will install their first chargers by January 2023.
EV Charging for All?
GM’s Level 2 charging stations will become available to all EV brands, not just GM-branded electric cars. The automaker is investing nearly $750 million to expand EV charging infrastructures and forged partnerships with more than 11 EV charging networks, including Pilot Company and EVgo, to install 110,000 additional charge points throughout U.S. cities by 2025.
“GM is taking a comprehensive approach to helping put everyone in an EV,” Hassani added. “This includes great vehicles, accessible and reliable charging infrastructure, and free educational resources to help make the transition to EVs as seamless as possible.”
