GM’s Electric Vehicle Discussion Tool Aims to Fill ‘Electric Vehicle Knowledge Gap’

DETROIT — General Motors is launching a new tool it says will help close the “electric vehicle knowledge gap” for electric vehicle ownership, not just for its own cars, but for other automakers as well.

The Detroit automaker on Monday launched “VE Live”, a free online platform that connects electric vehicle owners or consumers who have questions about zero-emission cars and trucks with an expert who can answer them.

GM says the new program aims to improve education about electric vehicle ownership. But if anyone is interested in buying or learning more about one of GM’s electric vehicles, the platform’s experts will be able to direct them to more information.

“Addressing common misconceptions about electric vehicles will accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. We saw a need for accessible, credible and engaging sources of information to enable consumers to adopt electric vehicles and appreciate their many benefits,” said Hoss Hassani, vice president of the electric vehicle ecosystem at GM, in a release.

Consumer hesitancy due to lack of knowledge and potential misconceptions about electric vehicles is seen as one of the biggest hurdles for electric vehicles, along with charging infrastructure and often higher vehicle prices.

GM’s new platform will host “electric vehicle specialists” in a live studio alongside simulated electric vehicles and charging scenarios. Specialists will answer questions via voice or text chat and will have two-way audio equipment and one-way live video, so consumers can watch the expert demonstrate a charging connection, for example, and ask questions of followed.

Experts will answer everything from general questions such as how to charge an electric vehicle to more detailed answers about safety and EV batteries, according to Hassani.

GM said EV Live will also help prepare its dealers, employees, fleet and commercial customers and other third parties “for the all-electric future.”