As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to rise in popularity, retailers, hoteliers, and restauranteurs can meet new customer needs while boosting their bottom line. Just as offering WiFi has become a standard expectation for customers, EV charging is quickly becoming a must-have amenity. Whether browsing hotel listings or choosing a restaurant, customers increasingly look for EV charging availability alongside other amenities.
Accordingly, EV charging is more than just a service—it’s an opportunity to enrich the customer experience and differentiate your brand.
Boosting Foot Traffic, Spending, and Customer Loyalty
Charging infrastructure still needs to catch up with EV sales in the U.S. (The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that more than a million chargers will be required by 2030.) Consequently, finding EV charging opportunities continues to be a persistent challenge for EV owners.
The upside is that businesses with charging infrastructure have a clear competitive advantage over those without
A study combining California EV charger locations with payment data found that shops, restaurants, and hotels near chargers experienced increased sales compared to those without chargers. Annual spending at nearby businesses rose 1.4% in 2019 and 0.8% between 2021 and 2023. While the percentages may seem small, they add up. For 2019 alone, this increase translated to an average of nearly $23,000 in additional spending per business near a single EV charging station. The benefits were particularly significant in lower-income neighborhoods, offering opportunities for economic growth.
Benefits for Retailers
Increased Foot Traffic and Revenue: The longer EV drivers stay and recharge their cars, the more they spend. This creates the potential for a significant revenue stream. A 2023 peer-reviewed study from Boston University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison analyzed the impact of EV charging stations across over 800 U.S. counties. The results? Retailers within 200 meters of chargers saw a 4% increase in monthly visits. Spending rose by 5%, with the most significant benefits seen by businesses within 150 meters of the chargers.
Additional Revenue Stream: Some companies, such as Walmart—the largest retailer in the United States—are treating EV charging as a standalone profit opportunity rather than just a way to boost foot traffic and sales. Walmart has started developing its branded charging stations, moving away from the traditional model of leasing parking lot space to third-party providers for installation and maintenance.
Benefits for Hoteliers
With their large parking areas and robust electrical systems, hotels are uniquely suited for EV charging stations. Specific benefits include:
Broader Guest Appeal: Hotels with EV charging can attract more than just overnight guests. Residents, rideshare drivers like Uber and Lyft, and daytime visitors attending conferences or events can use the chargers. Hotels with EV chargers also gain a competitive edge in attracting corporate clients and event organizers who prioritize sustainable practices. This increased foot traffic boosts revenue from other hotel services, such as restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores, while strengthening the hotel’s role in the community.
Enhanced Property Value: EV charging stations are a strategic investment for hoteliers, increasing property value and providing an impressive return on investment.
Energy Efficiency and Security: For high-energy consumers like hotels, EVs can act as backup energy sources during power outages or store renewable energy from on-site solar panels. These applications open doors to cost savings, energy resilience, and sustainable operations.
Sustainability Leadership: Installing EV chargers makes them a magnet for eco-conscious travelers. EV charging supports hotels’ sustainability goals, enhancing energy resilience with options like direct current fast chargers that double as backup energy storage. Offering complimentary charging and integrating valet services or app-based monitoring further elevates the guest experience, positioning the hotel as a modern, eco-friendly establishment.
Benefits for Restauranteurs
Many restaurants, fast food providers, and coffee shops are adding EV charging stations to their business models to attract customers and boost their reputation. Whether having an hour-long lunch or spending a few hours at happy hour or dinner after work, customers stay long enough to increase their EV battery significantly. Restaurants with level 2 chargers can add 15-25 miles of range during a lunch break, while those with faster level 3 chargers can provide a full recharge before the customer returns to work. Specific benefits include:
Customer Convenience: Offering charging stations along with dining creates a seamless experience for customers. This added convenience helps build loyalty, as customers value the extra service.
Increase Revenue: Restaurants with EV charging stations can boost foot traffic and revenue per customer in two ways. First, customers who stay longer to charge their EVs may order additional items like dessert or drinks, increasing their bill and boosting the restaurant's revenue. Second, charging a fee for using the EV stations can turn the installation cost into a new revenue source. Restaurant owners can even offer charging credits as a perk for customers who spend more, making it a win-win situation.
Increase Dwell Time: Charging an EV typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, giving customers plenty of time to enjoy a full meal or try additional items like desserts and drinks. This longer stay often leads to higher sales per customer.
Attract Loyal Employees: Attracting and keeping employees has been challenging for many restaurants in the post-pandemic world. Offering EV charging stations is one way to attract and retain new employees for servers or hosts who work long shifts; having the ability to fully charge their car while on the job is a significant benefit. It also reduces stress during their time off and gives them another reason to stay with their current employer.
The Time to Act is Now
The transition to EVs is reshaping consumer behavior—and businesses that adapt early are reaping the benefits. Installing EV chargers attracts customers, boosts revenue, and positions businesses as forward-thinking leaders in sustainability and innovation.
Whether you’re running a retail store, hotel, or restaurant, you can't afford to miss the opportunity to integrate EV charging into your services. By investing in this infrastructure now, you can turn EV charging into more than a necessity—making it a memorable part of your customer’s experience.
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