Stellantis's upcoming EV rollout strategy will not force its 2,600-plus dealerships to invest large sums of money for facility upgrades, the world's fourth-largest automaker has announced. This is in contrast to how General Motors and Ford are handling some aspects of their respective EV expansions.

Both of those rival Detroit automakers have initiated policies where dealers must invest certain amounts for EV-related hardware, such as chargers and other vital equipment. Failure to do so means they will not be allowed to sell EVs or, in Buick and Cadillac's case, the closure of some dealers via a buyout program.

Stellantis has instead decided to team up with a Michigan-based company called Future Energy, whose specialty is advising dealers for everything EV related, such as charging infrastructures, employee training, and other operational updates and sales strategies.

So far, nearly 70% of Stellantis dealers are already assessing their individual readiness.

"As we accelerate the drive toward electrification, Stellantis is in full-execution mode with an electrification strategy designed specifically to address the needs of our dealership network," said Phil Langley, head of North American Stellantis network development. "We are working lockstep with our national dealer council to develop and support their long-term plans during this industry-changing transition. From business operations and inventory management to service centers and employee culture, our goal is to work directly with our dealers to best prepare for, be successful in and address any challenges they may face as the automotive industry continues to move toward electrification."

In addition to on-site evaluations of EV integration needs, Future Energy is providing guidance through the financial assistance application process that will see dealers obtain funding to help offset costs, ongoing customer support, and advice to measure and manage energy use in real time across a dealer's infrastructure.

Last March, Stellantis unveiled its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan that will, among other many things, see it reach carbon zero emissions by 2038. More than 25 battery-electric vehicles will be on sale in the US by 2030.

Already on sale are the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Wrangler 4xe, both plug-in hybrids. Jeep recently revealed the fully-electric Recon concept, due in 2024. It rides on the automaker's STLA Large platform which will underpin many more EVs, including those from Alfa Romeo. The combination of the Dare Forward plan and the Future Energy partnership will hopefully see Stellantis reach its goal of 50% of US sales to be EVs by the end of the decade.