DRIVE Electric Arizona Working Group

Dealer Engagement

Chaired by John Martinson

The Dealer Engagement Working Group helps Arizona consumers identify dealerships that are prepared to provide a knowledgeable, transparent and supportive electric vehicle buying experience.

The Working Group identifies and evaluates potential Trusted EV Dealerships, develops relationships with qualified dealerships and brings these vetted resources directly to consumers throughout Arizona.

Our Purpose

Helping Consumers Find Dealerships That Understand EVs

Buying an electric vehicle can involve questions that many traditional vehicle purchases do not. Consumers may need knowledgeable guidance about charging, range, incentives, battery health, service, maintenance and everyday ownership.

The Dealer Engagement Working Group helps close that information gap.

Rather than asking consumers to determine on their own which dealerships are truly prepared to support EV buyers, DRIVE Electric Arizona works to identify dealerships demonstrating a meaningful commitment to electric vehicles and the customers who drive them.

Through the Trusted EV Dealership Program, the Working Group helps develop and maintain a network of vetted dealership resources that Arizona consumers can use when they are ready to shop for an electric vehicle.

What We Do

From Identifying Candidates to Connecting Consumers

The Dealer Engagement Working Group works behind the scenes to build a stronger and more reliable network of EV-ready dealerships across Arizona.

1

Identify Potential Dealerships

The Working Group identifies dealerships across Arizona that sell electric vehicles and may be strong candidates for the Trusted EV Dealership Program.

2

Evaluate & Vet

Potential participants are evaluated for their EV knowledge, customer experience, charging capabilities, service support and overall commitment to electric transportation.

3

Build Dealer Relationships

The Working Group develops relationships with dealership leadership, sales teams and EV specialists to encourage stronger EV education and better consumer support.

4

Connect Consumers

Dealerships that meet program expectations can become part of DRIVE Electric Arizona's Trusted EV Dealership network, giving consumers a vetted resource when they are ready to shop.

Trusted EV Dealerships

Turning Our Work Into a Consumer Resource

The Trusted EV Dealership Program is one of the primary ways the Dealer Engagement Working Group turns its work into something directly useful for Arizona consumers.

Dealerships in the network have demonstrated a commitment to supporting EV buyers and owners through knowledgeable staff, appropriate charging and service capabilities, accurate information and continued engagement with Arizona's EV community.

The result is a growing statewide resource designed to make it easier for consumers to identify dealerships that are prepared to help them successfully make the transition to electric driving.

What We Look For

Knowledgeable EV sales staff
A meaningful commitment to EV inventory
Appropriate dealership charging infrastructure
EV-capable service and maintenance support
Accurate information for new and pre-owned EV buyers
Strong customer service and consumer education
Engagement with the local EV community
The Process

How a Dealership Becomes a Trusted Resource

Trusted status is intended to represent a meaningful commitment to electric vehicles and to the consumers shopping for them.

1

Identify

The Working Group identifies a dealership with the potential to provide a strong EV buying experience.

2

Engage

We connect with dealership leadership and learn more about its EV sales, service and customer-support capabilities.

3

Evaluate

The dealership is reviewed against the expectations of the Trusted EV Dealership Program.

4

Connect

Qualified dealerships become part of the network and are presented to consumers as a trusted EV-shopping resource.

For Arizona Consumers

Why This Work Matters

The goal is simple: make it easier for consumers to find knowledgeable dealerships and have a better experience when shopping for an electric vehicle.

Less Guesswork

Consumers have a starting point when looking for dealerships that understand EV technology and ownership.

Better Information

Knowledgeable dealership teams can provide more accurate answers about charging, range, service, batteries and everyday ownership.

Greater Confidence

A vetted dealer network gives consumers greater confidence that the dealership they visit is prepared to support an EV purchase.

Looking for an EV Dealership?

Explore DRIVE Electric Arizona's growing network of Trusted EV Dealerships and find dealerships that have demonstrated a commitment to supporting electric vehicle buyers and owners.