Are retail charging stations achieving profitability?

[GreenThumb]

A favorable indication? Request for more quantities of this.

[GreenThumb]

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/business/ev-chargers-store-parking-lots.html?unlocked_article_code=1.a04.A6AF.Ww7JztjUUhNA&smid=url-share

[BookLover123]

The New York Times states: "For decades, the installation of electric vehicle chargers has not been profitable for retailers." It is now functional.

Is that true? What is Jane Margolies' estimate of the number of decades that charging networks have been in existence? Is anybody still proofreading their work?

However, the context is to shops rather than the networks. That is a rather distinct equation.

[GreenThumb]

Amusing. Perhaps a decade and a half? I am very certain that Jane did not compose the headline.

The installation of DCFC incurs significant expenses, so it is logical for shops to collaborate with existing networks. It is noteworthy that WalMart is doing experiments with its own initiative.

[FilmBuff007]

If she did not compose the title, it was extracted from the sentence inside the piece.

[FinanceWiz]

To play the devil's advocate, Google indicates that the first Tesla chargers were placed in September 2012. These chargers are in their second decade of use. This marks the inception of contemporary charging, particularly from Google's perspective:

The initial electric vehicle chargers were implemented in the early 1900s, with firms such as General Electric establishing public charging stations, termed "Electrant" stations, predominantly situated in New York City, facilitating rudimentary recharging of electric vehicles; thus, signifying the inception of public charging infrastructure for electric automobiles.

[FinanceWiz]

In terms of economics, collaborating with a supplier such as Electrify America or EVgo might enhance a small business's earnings; nevertheless, the expenses associated with self-installation and maintenance of the equipment may not be justifiable unless the products offered provide substantial profit margins.

One spot where I use my complimentary EVgo charging is a WaWa gas station equipped with EVgo DCFC in the parking lot. Every motorist I've observed, every time I have been there charging, including myself, goes inside the WaWa and spends money while waiting for their car to charge. I think that many of the same drivers with an internal combustion engine car often refuel without entering the store. So the charging has boosted their customer base, but if they had the spend the tens of thousands of dollars to build and maintain the chargers how many slurpees would they have to sell to repay that cost?

Walmart on the other hand, may be able to pull it off. With quarterly sales of $169 billion, they can sustain the infrastructure without significantly impacting their profit margins. A trapped buyer would also likely spend a lot more money while waiting than a few bucks on food and beverages. While perusing the aisles of Walmart while your wait to charge, you may see several impulse items that you may want but do not necessarily need, and for which you would not have made a dedicated trip to Walmart.

[SpaceDreamer]

I'm going transfer this to the general EV thread - not model specific....unless there are any objections:)

[CodeMaster007]

at my view, the return on investment for the chargers is prolonged due to their installation as isolated income sources at arbitrary, ineffective places. This is essentially analogous to a gas pump situated in an unfavorable location devoid of further amenities.