Car dealers looking to capitalise on the electric vehicle (EV) evolution need to educate sales teams and install charging infrastructure on their forecourts, according to Kevin Pugh, who heads up EV charging specialist Tritium in the UK and Ireland.

The company will be among a group of specially selected forward-thinking suppliers which will feature in the Automotive Management Live Future Dealership Zone when the annual expo takes place at Birmingham’s NEC on November 7.

Pugh said: “Any dealership with an EV in their line-up needs to be ready with chargers at their dealerships now, their customers need to know about their next car now, and that the horizon and technology is changing.

“Charging is about convenience and speed of charge. Dealerships therefore need to be fluent in understanding what charge the vehicle can take, and what this means to their customers when they come across various charging devices.

“It should become part of the education process when selling their vehicles.”

Tritium believes that a 50kW DC rapid charger on the forecourt will act as a draw to a potential new EV driver as well as offering a service to the current local EV community.

Tritium has just signed a contract to install 2,500 rapid 50kW electric vehicle charger sites across the UK which will double the number currently available. 

Rapid chargers can add 30 miles of range in just 10 minutes compared to ‘streetlight’ chargers which are typically 3.6kW and add two miles of range in 10 minutes and 7kW chargers, the likes of which are being rolled out at Tesco supermarkets, which can add just over four miles every 10 minutes.

The next level – high-power chargers – are in some cases capable of adding 220 miles of range in 10 minutes.

Pugh said: “This is the most exciting transition to hit the transport industry in a century, and there is a unique opportunity for dealerships to increase footfall and attract a series of new, loyal customers by providing a service beyond the sale.”

Automotive Management Live is free to dealer and manufacturer delegates by registering at https://www.automotivemanagementlive.co.uk/ and promises to once again be the best day automotive colleagues will spend away from the business.