How to Start an Electric Car Dealership

There are many reasons to start an electric car dealership in your community. Your desire to make a profit can be combined with a wish to serve the public when you offer electric cars to consumers worried about fuel costs. A sound business plan covering every contingency must be created before you start an electric car dealership.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Retail space
• Dealer license

1. Seek out retail space before you start your electric car dealership. This property should have sufficient space for a showroom, service area and inventory storage. You can cut down on renovation costs by renting an old dealership.
2. Put together financial resources that are sufficient to purchase an initial car inventory. Most electric car companies set minimum initial purchases for dealers to weed out casual bidders.
3. Procure a vehicle dealer license through your state's Department of Revenue. The license application used by the Kansas Department of Revenue demonstrates the costs and legal obstacles to starting a new dealership (see Resources below).
4. Draw investors to your electric car dealership by demonstrating the growing market for alternative-fuel vehicles. You need a team of investors who have the motivation and assets to help you expand your dealership.
5. Meet manufacturing representatives and investors at alternative-vehicle shows before you start an electric car dealership. Events like the Seattle Auto Show offer an opportunity to feel out business opportunities while building connections in the industry (see Resources below).
6. Hire a market-research firm to determine the demand for an electric car dealership in your community. Specialized firms, such as the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute, use focus groups and demographic research to give you data on the local auto market (see Resources below).
7. Recruit mechanics who are willing to learn the intricacies of electric cars. Train a handful of experienced mechanics on the components and common issues with electric cars to get your service department started.

Tips & Warnings

• Review current marketing efforts by traditional dealerships as you start your electric car dealership. You will need to develop local ad campaigns for your product due to the limited resources of most electric car companies. These campaigns should highlight fuel savings and environmental benefits to draw in new customers.