The electric vehicle (EV) transition is happening, and GM is helping to lead the charge – quite literally. On December 10, 2018, America’s largest automaker announced a new partnership with EV connect, a provider of electric vehicle charging management and network services, to bring these capabilities to GM dealerships nationwide. The move will make it easier for customers to charge their EVs, whether they’re at home or on the road.

It’s all part of GM’s goal to have every one of its dealership’s “EV-ready,” as the company ramps up production of its growing lineup of electric vehicles. The first of these, the Chevrolet Bolt EV, has been on sale since December 2016, and Chevy will soon be followed by Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. In all, GM plans to have 20 all-electric vehicles available by 2023.

With this unprecedented level of EV production comes an infrastructure challenge. How do you keep all of these vehicles charged and ready to go? That’s where EV connect comes in.

EV connect’s software platform will be integrated into GM’s Dealer Management System (DMS). That will give dealers the ability to manage EV charging stations from a centralized location and make it easy for customers to find available charging stations and pay for their electricity.

The partnership will also give customers the peace of mind that comes with knowing their vehicle is compatible with EV connect’s nationwide network of more than 30,000 public charging stations.

“Our sales and service teams are preparing now to ensure a great experience for our customers as they make the switch to an electric vehicle,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of GM Sales and Service. “This agreement with EV connect is another way we’re making the transition to electric vehicles as seamless as possible for our customers and dealers.”

The first GM dealerships to get EV connect-powered charging stations will be in California, where the company plans to have 100 dealerships “EV-ready” by the end of 2019. The rollout will then expand to other markets where GM plans to sell EVs, including the rest of the United States, Canada, and China.

“We are very excited to be working with GM to support their transition to electric vehicles,” said Jordan Ramer, CEO and founder of EV connect. “Their leadership in this area is critical to making EVs a success and we are proud to be a part of that.”