Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has launched a comprehensive Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) Dealer Certification Program, building on the Elite Support program. 

The Elite Support program is a certified network of Freightliner dealers committed to providing exceptional customer experience throughout all aspects of dealership operations. DTNA has deployed battery-electric trucks in over 50 fleets across the US, logging over 4 million customer battery-electric miles with the heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia and medium-duty Freightliner eM2. 

DTNA collaborated with the Freightliner Dealer Council Principals, representing over 40% of all dealer locations in the USA and Canada, to create the BEV Dealer Certification Program, which will become the model for the entire industry. 

The comprehensive program covers all aspects required to assist customers in transitioning to emissions-free driving. From Detroit eConsulting to help customers understand their infrastructure and vehicle optimization needs to spec'ing and maintaining electric trucks, the certification covers every aspect of electrification. 

The Four Key Areas for Dealer Requirements 

Freightliner's dealer network is making substantial investments to meet the requirements of the BEV Dealer Certification Program, which covers over 75 specific criteria in four key areas:

1. Safety: comprehensive safety policy and training, nominating a frontline contact person, and being fully equipped with high-voltage safety-specific equipment.

2. Charging Infrastructure: commercial vehicle charging infrastructure, including stationary or mobile charging solutions. Baseline competency enables infrastructure and vehicle deployment readiness activities, backed by the expert-level support of the Detroit eConsulting team.

3. Dealership Infrastructure: dedicated BEV service bays, battery storage space, key parts stocking, and safety signage installation.

4. Training: BEV training and resources for the dealership personnel, covering all aspects of the dealership business, including sales, service, and parts.

Drew Backeberg, Senior Vice President of Aftermarket at DTNA, said that having the dealer network BEV certified benefits the market as a whole. For customers owning or purchasing an electric vehicle in the near future, it is likely their first experience with electrification in the heavy-duty truck space. Therefore, DTNA sees it as their responsibility to support them on their journey. 

For broader market adoption, DTNA needs experts and safety leaders to ensure their dealer network sets the standard high through their new BEV Dealer Certification Program.

As of March 2024, eight dealerships had completed the rigorous certification, and the number is expected to continue to grow. With the growth of electric vehicles and their deployment throughout North America, now is the time to rapidly expand the optional BEV Dealer Certification throughout the Freightliner dealer network. The plan is to have 100 dealer locations certified by 2025.