The push for a transition to electric vehicles in the United States has been met with obstacles, with car dealerships and salespeople not fully prepared to sell them. Many consumers have reported frustrating experiences trying to purchase a new electric vehicle, with salespeople either trying to steer them towards gas-powered cars or giving incorrect information about the technology.
The electric vehicle transition faces barriers due to laws that were implemented decades ago to protect car dealerships. For salespeople, the lack of extensive training on electric vehicle technology presents challenges when interacting with interested buyers. This often leads to misinformed conversations that do not fully address consumer concerns. Consumers who have experienced the frustration of trying to purchase electric vehicles have reported attempts by salespeople to upsell them on unnecessary services not applicable to EVs.
Especially concerning is the fact that a survey by the Sierra Club at the end of 2022 found that 66% of dealerships did not have any EVs available for sale, with 45% stating that they would not offer an EV even if they could. The lack of economic incentive to sell electric vehicles has also led to longer wait times for EVs at dealerships, with electric cars remaining on the lots longer than gas-powered cars.
Although some dealerships are working to embrace the new technology and provide their salespeople with the necessary training to sell EVs, the forecast for the future of electric vehicle sales is still uncertain. The president of the National Automobile Dealers Association has voiced concerns over the rapid push for electric vehicles, stating that the transition is moving too quickly.
It remains to be seen how dealerships and the mainstream market will adapt to the aggressive goals set by the Biden administration for electric vehicle sales, as well as how manufacturers and dealerships will work together to provide more comprehensive education and support to the sales force on electric vehicles. Until these issues are addressed, the transition to electric vehicles may remain in jeopardy.