The adoption of electric vehicles has been on the rise as more and more people accept the benefits of eco-friendly and sustainable transportation. As a result, there has been an increase in the demand for charging infrastructure, which offers convenient and accessible charging options for EV owners. However, despite the growing number of EVs on the road, the charging infrastructure still faces challenges that can cause anxiety for drivers.
To overcome these challenges and encourage the growth of charging options, businesses need to embrace charging stations as an option with serious financial incentives, especially as the number of EV owners increases. By investing in charging infrastructure, businesses can offer more convenient and accessible charging options for EV owners, which can alleviate the anxiety that people considering buying an EV may feel.
In a recent interview with The Globe and Mail, Pasquale Romano, the CEO of ChargePoint, stated that he believes that charging stations can become part of a new, 30-minute retail economy, allowing drivers to spend money on drinks, meals or other items while they wait. This strategy will not only benefit EV owners but also businesses that offer the charging services. For example, IKEA provides EV charging at all its Canadian stores, which can attract more customers who are EV owners. Canadian Tire aims to have 80% of EV drivers within 50 kilometers of one of its chargers by the end of the year, which can increase its customer base and revenue. Here in British Columbia, Chevron and White Spot’s (one of Canada’s largest chain restaurants) Triple O’s offer a sizeable 20% discount on food, just for charging up at their station.
White Spot, one of Canada’s largest chain restaurants, has partnered with Chevron to offer dining options at a sizeable discount, while charging up at their station. Expect to see more of this in the coming years.
To further improve the charging infrastructure, plans for more than 400 new charging hubs in North America have been developed by a number of companies, including the aforementioned ChargePoint, Mercedes-Benz, and MN8 Energy, as well as Parkland Corp.’s expansion of its fast-charging network, offering fresh food and other meals to EV owners. These initiatives can provide more convenient and accessible charging options for EV owners, which can promote the adoption of EVs and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all.
The growth of charging options is crucial to the adoption of EVs and the promotion of sustainability. By addressing the challenges of the charging infrastructure and offering additional services, businesses can attract more customers who are EV owners, increase their revenue, and create a new sub-economy while contributing to a more sustainable future. With the support of businesses and initiatives such as those mentioned above, EV owners can expect a bright future with more convenient and accessible charging options, which can promote the adoption of EVs and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all.
Thinking about purchasing a used EV? We highly recommend using EVFriendly’s Inspection Guidebook and Inspection Checklist. These are free, comprehensive resources to help consumers stay informed and make the most of their used EV purchase. We highly recommend using a qualified EV technician.
Julian Sale Discusses BC’s
EV Charging Infrastructure
In recent years, the incorporation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in new condos and housing developments has become more prevalent. Developers are acknowledging the growing demand for EV charging among prospective homebuyers and are starting to include charging stations in their plans. In turn, this makes non-EV owners consider making the switch, as charging solutions are easily accessible. To learn more, click the link to watch our podcast with Julian Sale.
