evVG Building Out the EV Charging Network

Niese wondered how close the vehicle industry is to offering personalized EV recommendations based on individual use cases such as a specific driver who commutes with a Level 1 charger and travels to rural areas. He asked whether dealership tools could soon combine local utility data and charger network forecasts to help buyers determine whether an EV fits their needs. Palmer addressed the issue of dealer preparedness, stating that OEMs like his have trained thousands of salespeople, though he acknowledged that customer concerns about range and convenience persist. He shared that once people adopt EVs, they’re generally very satisfied and become strong advocates. He said, “It took 10 years for the smartphone, like an iPhone, to go from small and specific groups to everybody. 10 years….Could take 30 years…We’ve concentrated on just clearing barriers away. Just keep taking the excuses away until there’s no more left. Then more people will buy them and they’ll tell their friends.” Palmer described initiatives like Ford’s “Power Promise,” which includes providing and installing a home charger, as a way to reduce barriers and increase confidence. He reported that 90% of drivers only drive around 100 miles a week, yet many still demand longer ranges and fast refueling, driven by habit and perception.

Bridging the EV Education Gap

Members coalesced on the point that a major barrier to EV adoption remains - the widespread misunderstanding of how electric vehicles function in daily life, particularly regarding home and multi- unit dwelling charging. Klein emphasized the need for a national public education campaign, ideally supported by automakers and government, to demy- stify EV ownership and correct misinformation. He suggested showing “a day in the life of an EV owner” to demonstrate how effortless EV ownership can be. Normandeau echoed Klein’s point, saying education is crucial, especially when working with condo boards and multifamily dwellings. He noted that behavioral change is slow, but familiarity and reduced fear can drive greater adoption. Sophia Schuster , policy principal at Michigan EIBC, added that dealerships also play a key role. She recently bought an EV but found her salesperson unprepared to answer basic questions, highlighting a disconnect in the dealer education process that could discourage uncertain buyers.

“ I could see a series where we do have a day in the life of an EV owner. Just show us how effortless it is. There’s really nothing to it. I plug my car in once a week at night, and that’s it. And my electric bill hasn’t even gone up. I got 9 solar panels, put in a charger, my electric bill went down when I got an EV. But we don’t tell people this. Gabe Klein , Former Executive Director, U.S. Joint Office of Energy & Transportation