TO THE EDITOR:
The mandatory electric vehicle charging requirements established by many auto manufacturers are unrealistic and excessive compared with the production plans of these same manufacturers over the next several years. Additionally, requiring “public-facing” charging stations is not well thought out (“Dealers push back on Ford EV mandates,” autonews.com, Nov. 4).
By the time electric cars are mass-produced, there will likely be several charging stations at every gas station, most Starbucks outlets and many McDonald’s locations. Who will travel to a Ford dealership instead of a Starbucks to charge their electric car? And there are already several Level 2 and Level 3 chargers required for each Ford dealer without requiring additional public-facing chargers.
Lastly, many auto manufacturers should be embarrassed by the exorbitant profit they are making off their “partner” dealers with the pricing they are charging the dealers for these chargers and their installation. Many dealers can arrange to have the same chargers, electrical upgrades and installation for less than half the cost. And yet the auto manufacturers become upset when the dealers add small addendum stickers for new vehicles where demand far exceeds supply. I would like to see their addendum sticker for the additional profit they are making off their “partners.”
PAT O’BRIEN, Indianapolis, The writer is a new-vehicle dealer.