Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) introduced a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) dealer certification program that builds on the foundations of the Elite Support program – a certified network of Freightliner dealers. With the heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia and medium-duty Freightliner eM2, DTNA said it has already deployed battery-electric trucks in over 50 fleets across the country, logging over four million customer battery-electric miles.

“After several months of collaboration between DTNA and the Freightliner Dealer Council Principals, representing over 40% of all dealer locations in the USA and Canada, we are pleased to introduce and support the BEV Dealer Certification Program that will become the model for our entire industry at providing a safe and world-class customer experience for our battery-electric truck customers,” John Hopkins, co-chair of the Freightliner Dealer Council said.

DTNA said the BEV Dealer Certification program covers over 75 specific criteria in four key areas including safety, charging infrastructure, dealership infrastructure and training.

When it comes to safety, the BEV Dealer Certification program covers safety policy and training, nominating a frontline contact person and being fully equipped with high-voltage safety-specific equipment. Charging infrastructure covers stationary or mobile charging solutions and a baseline competency to enable infrastructure and vehicle deployment readiness activities backed by the expert-level support of the Detroit eConsulting team.

The BEV Dealer Certification program will also cover dealership infrastructure, including information on dedicated BEV service bays, battery storage space and key parts stocking, plus installation of safety signage. Training is the last of four key areas covered, which includes information on BEV training and resources for dealership personnel covering all aspects of the dealership business like sales, service and parts.

Eight dealerships have already completed the certification and the number is doubling in the coming weeks.