If you’re an EV driver, you probably tested, leased, or purchased your EV at a local store. For the last decade, automakers and dealers have progressively increased their EV inventory, improving the EV experience for customers nationwide. If you had an enjoyable and successful visit, the store was likely PlugStar certified!
Since 2016, Plug In America’s PlugStar dealer program has provided EV training, certification, and ongoing support for dealers and retailers. The program works to build EV knowledge and best practices for sales staff, refining the purchasing experience for consumers visiting a nearby store to test an EV, or chat with salespeople to learn more about EV models, costs, charging, and battery ranges. Through helpful training and ongoing support, PlugStar certified dealers have access to the most up-to-date information about the EV sector, including helpful resources and information about consumer incentives, market trends, relevant policies, and more.
Leadership from Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association and Executive Kia in Wallingford, Conn. Shown here from left are John Gogliettino IV, general manager, Executive Kia in Wallingford, Conn.; Sarah Fryxell, president of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association; and John Orsini, owner of the Executive Auto Group.
With funding and collaboration from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy, automakers, regional utilities, software companies, dealer associations, government agencies, and other exceptional partners, Plug In America has recently ramped up PlugStar program outreach efforts and has trained and certified over 360 salespeople from 93 electric car dealers nationwide in the last 16 months alone. Through PlugStar, dealership staff learn about the benefits and nuances of EV driving, answering the most pressing questions from clients while offering a smart and savvy purchasing experience. After conducting pre and post-training surveys, 100% of respondents said they would recommend the PlugStar training, and showed increased confidence across all survey topics, including incentives, charging, and EVSE requirements. In addition, almost all respondents noted an increase in their knowledge across all PlugStar EV training topics.
“We found the PlugStar EV training webinar to be very informative and valuable for our team. We’re looking forward to applying what we’ve learned to help us sell more EVs.”
–General sales manager at Penske Chevrolet of Cerritos, trained in March 2025
“It’s so nice having a training to cover the essentials so I don’t have to do it all by myself.”
–EV sales manager at El Cajon Ford, trained in February 2025
Our PlugStar certification provides ongoing support for dealers, enabling a supportive network that keeps them updated with the most crucial EV knowledge, which is constantly changing. As the EV sector shifts with new models, charging standards, IRS requirements, government incentives, and local rebates, PlugStar certified dealers stay informed, sharing this information with customers who walk into the dealership to test or buy an EV. Certified retailers access this information and resources through online and in-person trainings, periodic EV newsletters, and the EV Support Program team who answers their EV inquiries via email and phone. They also have priority listing on PlugStar.com’s dealer map along with helpful features such as the request information button, which allows consumers to reach out to them directly.
We are excited to share that our goal is to train and certify EV retailers across all 50 states in the next 24 months through a series of state-specific, no-cost, live online webinars. If you or someone you know may be interested in the PlugStar dealer program, let us know!
The EV Support Program is one of the many resources available for PlugStar certified retailers, answering EV inquiries from their staff and their customers via email and phone. Common questions answered by EVSP team include inquiries about EV tax credits and rebates, resources to find electricians and home charging equipment, and more.
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