FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2022
Contact:
Noah Barnes, Plug In America, nbarnes@pluginamerica.org
Mary Tyrie, Avista, mary.tyrie@avistacorp.com
Avista, Plug In America partner with auto dealers on the benefits of electric vehicles
Plug In America’s PlugStar program increases EV sales through outreach
SPOKANE—Avista has partnered with Plug In America to bring its successful PlugStar electric vehicle (EV) dealer engagement program to Eastern Washington.
The PlugStar program is nationally recognized for educating dealers about EVs, making it easy to shift to an EV. Since starting its PlugStar EV dealer training and certification program in 2018, Plug In America has trained thousands of dealer sales staff and hundreds of dealerships across the country.
Plug In America’s PlugStar program trains auto dealers on the EV ecosystem, including charging, incentives, and more, ensuring that when consumers enter the dealership, they can get their EV questions answered by knowledgeable sales staff. A recent evaluation report showed that PlugStar-trained dealers sell four times more EVs than their untrained counterparts and are twice as likely to get five-star customer ratings.
“The PlugStar program supports Avista’s comprehensive Transportation Electrification Plan by giving dealers the resources they need to educate their customers on the benefits of electric transportation,” said Rendall Farley, electric transportation manager at Avista. “This and other programs support beneficial growth in electric transportation for both residential and business customers, resulting in lower transportation costs, significant environmental benefits, and the opportunity to optimize electric load growth with the grid in a way that can help keep electricity rates affordable for all customers over the long-term.”
“We are excited to train auto dealers in Eastern Washington about the many benefits of EVs,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America. “We know that consumers have questions when considering an EV, so we want to ensure that when they walk into a dealership, the salesperson can confidently answer their questions and provide excellent service.”
To date, Plug In America has created PlugStar programs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Boston, New Jersey, and St. Louis.
Customers can compare vehicles, find incentives, learn about charging, and find PlugStar-certified dealers at PlugStar.com, as well as Avista’s Transportation Electrification Plan and various programs at myavista.com/transportation.
###
About Plug In America
Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. We drive electric. You can too. PlugInAmerica.org
About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 400,000 customers and natural gas to 367,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.6 million. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.myavista.com.
The Avista logo is a trademark of Avista Corporation.
