Author Topic: Electric vehicle charging station for small business  (Read 1885 times)

taiwwa

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Electric vehicle charging station for small business
« on: May 17, 2017, 09:32:30 AM »
Would it make sense for small businesses, say retail or lodging, to offer electric car charging?

Upside is that it would attract electric car owners. Since charging often takes over an hour, they would stick around and be customers. Electric car people also tend to be nice people and good customers.

Downside is the upfront cost and the possibility that simply no one will stop by due to low uptake of electric cars.

Any experiences?

Proud Foot

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Re: Electric vehicle charging station for small business
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2017, 07:53:33 AM »
No experience with this but I think it could work for lodging.  It would be harder for retail and would be highly dependent on location and what your surroundings are.  On a stretch of well traveled highway I think it could work but would be a lot harder in an urban setting.  It would also depend on what you were offering at your retail business.  Personally, I would not stay at a single shop for over an hour waiting for the car to charge.  There would need to be several shops to browse/purchase from or a coffee shop/food of some sort to keep me there.

The other thing to think of would be how you would pay for the service and upfront cost.  Would it be built into the pricing of the products you're selling or would there be a separate fee for charging?

HipGnosis

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Re: Electric vehicle charging station for small business
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2017, 04:25:13 PM »
I think it depends on the business and the location.
Is it the kind of business where customers naturally spend time?
Are there lots of EV charging available in the area?  There are websites and apps that will show you.

I expect 'charge stops' (like truck stops) to develop on long stretches of highway.  They will have multiple services that take a bit of time; mani-pedis, barber, massage, tanning, food made to order, some form of entertainment, etc...
I think the charging will be free, maybe with a certain amount of purchases.

What service or entertainment would you like to use / see?

Fishindude

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Re: Electric vehicle charging station for small business
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2017, 07:23:41 AM »
Only way I would do this, is if I the business owner drove an electric car and needed a place to hook up.   Otherwise, I don't think you'll ever see  a return on the money spent for the charging stations.

My company built a plant that was heavily involved in electric car technology.  They put in a huge long row of car charging stations to accommodate employees and visitors driving electric cars.  Guess what .... Those parking spots saw very little use.  Even very few of the employees were driving electric cars despite being given purchase incentives, etc.

YttriumNitrate

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Re: Electric vehicle charging station for small business
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2017, 08:41:26 AM »
Unlike traditional gas stations, it seems like the barriers to entry for electric charging stations are going to much lower. Unfortunately, that means early adopters will likely pay a high price for their stations only to eventually be undercut by new stations put in at a fraction of the cost.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!