Best Buy, one of the largest consumer electronics chains in the world, is exploring the idea of selling electric vehicles (EV). Discussions with some of the startup manufacturers are underway.
Chad Bell, a senior director who oversees Best Buy's efforts in mobility and transportation, claims the benefits of teaming up with his company are obvious, especially with 1,101 U.S. stores and successful first steps in the field of green mobility.
In addition to selling Brammo electric motorcycles (U.S. only), Best Buy recently won contracts to install home chargers for the Ford Focus Electric and Mitsubishi i-MiEV later this year.
The sheer number of potential customers should also make EV manufacturers – big or small – salivate. As Bell notes, "We probably get more traffic in a weekend than some of these dealers do in a month".
He also sees opportunities for Best Buy to teach consumers about EVs and related equipment – synchronizing a smartphone to a connectivity system, for instance, or helping owners use chargers.
Source : Automotive News
Chad Bell, a senior director who oversees Best Buy's efforts in mobility and transportation, claims the benefits of teaming up with his company are obvious, especially with 1,101 U.S. stores and successful first steps in the field of green mobility.
In addition to selling Brammo electric motorcycles (U.S. only), Best Buy recently won contracts to install home chargers for the Ford Focus Electric and Mitsubishi i-MiEV later this year.
The sheer number of potential customers should also make EV manufacturers – big or small – salivate. As Bell notes, "We probably get more traffic in a weekend than some of these dealers do in a month".
He also sees opportunities for Best Buy to teach consumers about EVs and related equipment – synchronizing a smartphone to a connectivity system, for instance, or helping owners use chargers.
Source : Automotive News