Nissan dealers, for instance, must invest between $30,000 and $70,000 in EV chargers, diagnostic equipment, vehicle lifts and training, one retailer said.
Ford dealers who sell the electric Mustang Mach-E invested $35,000 to become EV-certified. Meanwhile, General Motors has asked Cadillac and GMC dealers who plan to sell EVs to invest on average $200,000 in their facilities.
Terry Rodrigue, executive manager of Royal Nissan in Baton Rouge, La., said R&D costs should not affect retailers’ margins but be baked into the price of the vehicle.
“We should just charge more for the car,” said Rodrigue, who had not been briefed on the matter.
“It’s like a gallon of milk — if it costs more to get the milk on the shelf, you’re going to pay more for it.”
