As more EVs take to our roadways, it will make more sense for businesses to invest in charging infrastructure.
Tesla was ahead of its time when they bet on a proprietary Supercharger network. Now, public EV charging infrastructure is popping up all over the globe. Even McDonald’s is getting in on the action. Gas stations are starting to see the writing on the wall. A few are even converting gas pumps to EV chargers.
- This article comes to us courtesy of EVANNEX (which also makes aftermarket Tesla accessories). Authored by Matt Pressman. The opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily our own at InsideEVs.
Above: Tesla Model 3 charging outside a Kohl’s (Source: PlugShare)
But in Marketwatch, Tesla Model 3 owner, Vitaly Katsenelson, argues that gas stations aren’t really the right location for EV chargers as it takes longer to “fill up” a battery. Besides, most just charge at home. But home charging won’t be enough — longer road trips will require new charging infrastructure to provide added convenience for EV drivers.
Katsenelson writes, “My prediction: At some point there will be a charging-station mini-bubble as companies raise capital and do a land grab. Grocery stores will use charging stations to attract customers. Charging stations will be in all parking lots, from restaurants to office buildings. Electric vehicle (EV) charging will be a gold rush, while gas stations will be just another relic of a bygone age, like phone booths and cassette tapes.”
Above: Whole Foods is also installing EV charging in its parking lots (Source: EVgo)
So what does all this mean for the future of gas stations? Katsenelson concludes, “I imagine the 110,000 U.S. gas stations that keep ICE cars humming along today will look like a rounding error next to the millions of electric ‘filling stations’ that one day will be located in home garages and public parking lots.”
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- InsideEVs Editor’s Note: EVANNEX, which also sells aftermarket gear for Teslas, has kindly allowed us to share some of its content with our readers, free of charge. Our thanks go out to EVANNEX. Check out the site here.
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