Gates staff set to experience the New All-Electric Ford Explorer

Gates employees are encouraged to "hit the road" once again in the latest All-Electric Ford SUV

Following on from the success of the Electric Vehicle Driving Experience that staff took part in following the launch of the All-Electric Mustang Mach-E​, a new Electric Vehicle (EV) driving experience has been launched for all staff across dealerships in Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater London.  This time, staff can take an extended test drive in the New All-Electric Explorer -  the mid-sized Ford UV has only recently arrived at Gates dealership so this is a wonderful opportunity to get behind the wheel and really experience the car for a few days.  In return, employees will valuable feedback on how they found the experience of "owning" an electric vehicle. 

Why have an Electric Vehicle Experience for employees?

We understand that there are many questions, myths and misconceptions when it comes to making the switch to Electric Vehicles. The objective of this extended test drive opportunity is to empower our employees with a real understanding of what it is like to own an Electric Vehicle, as well as further enhancing product knowledge. This knowledge and expertise can then be passed on to you, our valued customers.

How does the Gates Electric Vehicle Experience work?

Prior to the experience, one of our Sales Manager's conduct a full handover providing an overview of some of the vehicle controls, features and technology. An explanation with regards to the different types of charging and a run through of the charging cables provided with the vehicle are also provided.

Following that, it's time to take to the roads for which the New All-Electric Explorer is provided with a minimum of 80% charge. Employees are then free to use the vehicle as they go about their everyday lives. By experiencing the vehicle in this way, our employees are able to gain a very good understanding of what Electric Vehicle ownership is like and how it fits into their lifestyles. Once the driving experience is complete, the car must to be returned with at least 80% charge. Staff are not permitted to use company charging points because it is important to fully understand what owning and charging an electric vehicle would be like.

What happens once the New All-Electric Explorer driving experience is complete?

Once our employees complete their driving experience, they will provided feedback on how it went! In particular, we are keen to understand their answers to some frequently asked questions that we receive from customers who are thinking of making the switch to an Electric Vehicle, including:

• Was it easy to charge the vehicle?
• What is the charging infrastructure like in your area?
• Did you manage to find and/or use a “Super Charger”?
• How did the cost of charging vary from place to place?
• How did the cost to run an Electric Vehicle compare to a petrol or diesel vehicle?
• Was the lack of noise strange or did it offer a more relaxing driving experience?

We will be sharing some of our employee review and feedback across our social media media channels in the coming days and weeks so be sure to check our accounts for all of the latest news and reviews!