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Convenience is king for American consumers—and the EV charging sector is taking note.
Convenience stores stand to play a key role in easing the EV charging experience for US drivers, many of whom remain wary about battery-powered vehicles because plugging in can be a hassle. Installing EV chargers at road-trip stops like Circle K and 7-Eleven could be a winning proposition for C-stores, charging providers, and drivers alike.
Drivers are even willing to make a detour to charge at a more appealing location, according to a new survey by industrial mobility tech firm Vontier.
“It’s not just about plugging in anymore—it’s about peace of mind,” Mark Morelli, Vontier’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “Addressing these safety concerns is imperative for the future of EV adoption, and convenience stores are uniquely positioned to address this challenge. They innately provide a safer, more comfortable charging experience while offering the amenities that drivers desire to be more productive during their charging time.”
Vontier found that “78% of EV drivers would go out of their way to use a public charger in a safe location,” and 67% would do so to shop while they charge. Three in five are willing to veer from their route to charge close to food options.
Andrew Bennett, CEO of EVolve, Vontier’s EV charging software unit, told Tech Brew that he expects charging in the US to eventually look something like it does in Europe and Scandinavia, where charging hubs often feature appealing amenities. Already, he noted, many C-stores there provide such amenities to ease the refueling experience—and have highly loyal customer bases.
“They have gyms, they have playgrounds for your kids,” he said. “The second you pull in, there’s free internet. The food is fantastic.”
And charging could be a boon for convenience stores.
A recent C-store trend report found that 34% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 44 would choose one store over another if it had a charging station. And according to Consumer Reports, retailers see as much as a 5% revenue boost when a fast charger is installed nearby.
Consumer Reports found that while only 1.4% of the C-stores in its analysis offered charging, some brands are making strides. Wawa and Sheetz have chargers at more than 10% of their locations, and brands like Circle K and 7-Eleven are bullish enough on charging that they’re building their own networks.
“Retail stores make excellent candidates for the placement of EV chargers,” Consumer Reports noted. “Their brick-and-mortar facilities have parking lots located near highways and convenient points of interest in communities across the country.”