Demand for charging devices rising among car dealers ​

Car dealers are being advised to install charging devices in test drive parking places, in the showroom, workshops and demo areas. The device serves a different purpose in each area.

Chargeable hybrids have their own driving features compared to cars with fuel engines. It is essential that the vehicle's battery is full before being test driven, due to the fact e.g. that customers' experience with plug-in hybrids can vary greatly with that of cars with fuel engines.

If the chargeable hybrid is test-driven on an empty battery, practically all the advantages and benefits that it has compared to the traditional fuel-engine car are missing. This is why almost all importers require or at least recommend that a charging place should be installed at the car showroom. The customer gets a false impression of how the vehicle should be charged when in constant use, if the temporary charger supplied with the vehicle is the only charging opportunity at the showroom.

Instructions on use and a first-class demonstration of the vehicle and its features are given to the customer pruchasing a new vehicle. It is advisable to give as detailed information as possible on charging and related actions, and use the correct devices. The majority of customers are first-time EV buyers, and their need for information is great, so it is absolutely essential to give them a demonstration of the charging device and how to use it before they take it home.

Having a charging device in the car dealer's workshop acts to highlight customer service as well as being practical for charging puposes. A customer with a full battery is certainly more satisfied than a customer with an empty one.

Chargeable vehicles are a relatively new sight in teh car showroom. The simpolest way to show a chargeable vehicle in a showroom is to have it connected to a charging device. This is sure to grab the customer's attention, and it is a good way to strike up a conversation with the customer. Post-market research has shown that there is a lot of work still to be done in making the customer familiar with vehicle charging and the different charging methods. It is advisable to go through these matters with the customer at the decision-making stage, and having a charger in the showroom is an excellent way to do this.

​PlugIt offers entire solutions for all showrooms. Different devices and features are suitable for different purposes, and we always discuss these individually for the specific showroom before making recommendations on which device to use.

Factors influencing choice of device are e.g. the car makes supplied by the distributor, location of charging place, and showroom opening hours.