Ford reduces requirements for dealer EV certification

Ford Motor Co. has reduced requirements on its voluntary electric-vehicle certification program for dealers as a part of its changing EV plans.

The changes to the Model e EV Program included reduced training requirements and fewer chargers on site. The company said they come "as we continue to adapt our overall EV strategy to the market and listen to Dealer feedback," according to an email from spokesperson Marty Günsberg. Charger supply chain and infrastructure delays also contributed.

The move announced to dealers on Friday comes as Ford and other automakers have taken steps back in their EV plans as the adoption curve has slowed. The Blue Oval's Model e EV and software business unit reported a loss of $1.3 billion in the third quarter, and executives pushed back $12 billion in planned spending on EVs. It had delayed its goal to produce 600,000 EVs in a year to nxt year.

For dealers to be "certified" in the EV program, they next year have to have two Level 2 chargers, down from five. To be "certified elite," that standard falls to three instead of five, and the additional "level 3" fast charger for 2026 for this certification level has been removed, too.

The total charging counts now have to be installed by June 30, 2024. This later timing is from the charger supply shortage. The Dearborn automaker also said the changes in training requirements also will lower dealer investment costs by about 50%.

Ford also has delayed the launch of one of two joint-venture battery plants it's building in Kentucky with South Korean manufacturer SK On. It also has paused construction on a battery plant in west Michigan's Marshall. It reduced production on the Mustang Mach-E SUV in Mexico, too.

Last December, CEO Jim Farley said two-thirds of dealers had signed up for the EV charging program. The requirements, though, have attracted a few lawsuits with mixed results nationally.

bnoble@detroitnews.com

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