The customer’s first charging session is part of the product experience. A car delivered with an unfamiliar cable, an unconfigured app or an unclear support number can create a complaint before the customer has driven it for a full day.
A good handover combines a documented acceptance check with a practical demonstration. The signature records what was delivered and explained; it should not conceal defects, remove statutory customer rights or substitute for resolving outstanding items. For an imported China-market EV, software access and local charging deserve the same attention as paintwork and keys.
Verify the delivered car against the contract
Begin with VIN, model year, exact configuration, colour, odometer and the agreed new or used condition. Record keys, charging cables, manuals and other included equipment. Photograph the car with the customer’s permission, recording visible damage or missing accessories in a separate exception list.
Have the customer review the promised features on the delivered vehicle. Language settings, navigation, app functions and driver-assistance availability can depend on market, accounts or connected services. Do not describe an unavailable feature as “coming soon” without a clear contractual basis and a supported delivery commitment.
| Handover item | Demonstration or record | Useful outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle identity | VIN and specification matched to sale document | No uncertainty about the accepted configuration |
| AC charging | Connect, start, stop and disconnect safely | Customer can reproduce the basic process |
| Planned public DC charging | Documented compatible equipment and session where available | Local use is explained with evidence |
| Account and access | Keys, app ownership and permissions | Buyer controls authorized access |
| Support | Local contacts, coverage and escalation steps | Customer knows where to report a problem |
| Exceptions | Item, responsible person and target resolution date | Outstanding work remains visible |
Demonstrate charging on relevant equipment
Use equipment approved and installed for the site. Show the correct port, cable, vehicle settings and the charger’s operating sequence. Let the buyer repeat the ordinary start-and-stop process under supervision, following the equipment and vehicle instructions.
Explain that charging speed depends on the vehicle, station, battery state and conditions. A successful AC session does not establish DC compatibility. For a GB/T vehicle intended to use another charging system, provide the validated compatibility scope of any conversion equipment; do not present a plug shape alone as proof.
If a public charging demonstration is included, record station identity, charger type, starting SOC and the result. If it cannot be completed before delivery, list that limitation and the agreed follow-up rather than signing it off as tested.
The US Department of Energy’s fleet guidance recommends training drivers in EV use and charging. The handover sequence here is our proposed dealer process; local installation and customer obligations must follow the destination’s rules.
Cover home charging before the buyer improvises
Explain which cable or wallbox is supplied and whether installation is included. A portable cable does not establish that every household socket is suitable. Ask the buyer to use a qualified local installer for the proposed circuit and to follow the vehicle and equipment instructions.
Show how to store the cable, protect connectors from damage and report a charging fault. Avoid improvised extension leads, interlock bypasses or high-voltage troubleshooting instructions. If the buyer lives in an apartment, parking permission, metering and building approval may be practical prerequisites to home charging.
For a driver who covers an illustrative 60 km per day at an assumed 0.18 kWh/km from the battery, the daily battery energy requirement is 10.8 kWh. Actual meter energy will be higher where charging losses apply. This invented calculation helps discuss charging time; it is not a consumption prediction for the delivered model.
Transfer accounts without transferring unnecessary data
Remove previous owner or temporary staff access using the manufacturer’s authorized process. Confirm who controls the app, physical keys and any remote permissions. Explain market or subscription limitations and avoid leaving the customer dependent on a salesperson’s personal login.
For a used car, agree how stored destinations, paired devices and personal data are cleared. Keep only the dealer records needed for the sale and support obligations. Never promise remote features that have not been tested with the customer’s permitted account in the destination.
Make the support route easy to use
Give the buyer a short written guide covering the first service, warranty scope, assistance contacts and what information to provide when reporting a fault. Record any unresolved recall or repair item accurately; a recall lookup and a completed remedy are different records.
Offer a follow-up after the first week to identify charging or access difficulties. Feed recurring issues back into the sales checklist. Repeated customer confusion usually indicates a missing instruction or an unclear promise.
Prepare handover before importing the batch
Ask Auto From China for a vehicle-specific accessory and support list alongside your quotation. Combine the inspection and charging requirements with the dealer’s acceptance form, so the promised customer experience can be checked before shipment.