GM partners with car dealers to grow an EV charging network

In the Dealer Community Charging Program, GM provides Level 2 chargers to participating dealers, who work with businesses, municipalities and other organizations to install them locally for public access. The idea is to build a charging network that increases access in smaller communities that don’t yet have much infrastructure. Installing Level 2 chargers rather than DC fast chargers can be easier and more cost-efficient, allowing them to be deployed quickly, GM said.

The vehicles that plug in at Memorial Healthcare often are non-GM brands, Young said. That is expected to change when GM begins to sell several new EVs this year, including electric versions of the Chevy Silverado, Blazer and Equinox. Still, he said, consumers may be less likely to consider buying an EV if they think charging the battery will be an issue.

Through this program, “we’ll be ahead of the game instead of behind the eight ball,” Young said. “And the only way I think I’ll be able to sell a lot of electric vehicles is if my community is ready for it.”

GM is targeting 40,000 such chargers in communities across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2026. The automaker has roughly 4,000 dealerships in the U.S. and 450 in Canada selling Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. Dealers representing all four brands are eligible to participate, and each store generally can place up to 10 chargers, said Jared Jenson, the program’s manager.

GM said it has enrolled about 1,100 dealerships in the program, and about 30 chargers have been installed so far at locations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois. Delaware is next, the automaker said, and more than 100 chargers are awaiting installation in total.