Ford Canada’s Model e electric vehicle certification program is being rejigged a little after dealership concerns were raised through the Ford Dealer Roundtable Association.
Out of the latest round of discussions, Ford is changing the following: (via Automotive News)
- Ford will now have an annual 30-day enrollment period for the Model e program. Previously, Ford had a hard deadline for opt-in, with the next window opening in 2027.
- Ford will allow Model e dealers to have at least one Blue Oval Charge network DC fast charger in smaller markets.
- Ford is introducing a ‘Small Volume Exception’ where dealerships that are in smaller markets can defer the installation of a Level 3 charger until demand grows.
The Model e program has two tiers—the Certified Elite, which costs around $1.8 million and the Certified, which costs around $560,000. The costs for the program are from required EV charger installations, training and specialized service equipment.
Eighty-three per cent of Canadian dealers have signed on to one of the two tiers. However, the remaining 17 per cent were still concerned about the program and its cost. The main concerns were from smaller dealers about the upfront capital cost and the potential lack of return on investment over the next several years.
The Ford dealerships are meeting face-to-face at the end of the month to discuss the program in more detail and may propose additional changes at that time.
