Why Don’t Gas Stations Have EV Charging Stations?
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been growing in popularity as more people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on gas. But despite this trend, one question that still baffles many EV drivers is why gas stations still haven’t caught up and installed charging stations for electric vehicles. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why this is so.
Costs
One of the main reasons why gas stations don’t have EV charging stations is simply cost. Installing EV charging stations can be expensive, especially for smaller gas stations with limited resources.
For example, some charging station providers charge between $6,500 to $25,000 per unit for installation, not to mention ongoing maintenance and electricity costs. For small gas stations with low sales, these costs can be prohibitive.
Limited Market
Another reason why gas stations don’t have EV charging stations is the limited market. EVs have a small market share compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, which means the demand for charging stations is still relatively low in comparison.
According to a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, there were just over 1 million EVs in the United States as of August 2020, which represents just 0.5% of all vehicles on the road. This small market share makes it harder for gas stations to justify the investment in charging stations.
Land Use and Permitting
Another challenge in installing EV charging stations is the requirement for additional land use and permitting. Gas stations are already limited in the real estate they have available to them and adding charging stations would require additional real estate for parking and access.
Furthermore, gas stations would need permits to install charging stations, and this process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for smaller stations with fewer resources.
Complexity and Uncertainty
Finally, gas stations may also be hesitant to invest in EV charging stations due to the complexity and uncertainty of the market. With technology changing rapidly, it’s difficult to predict what the future of EV charging will look like, and whether the investment made now will pay off in the future.
Additionally, there are various charging options available, including level 1, level 2, and DC fast charging, and determining which option to install can be complicated and may require additional research and investment.
Conclusion
While the demand for EV charging stations is growing, there are still various challenges that prevent gas stations from installing them. Cost is one of the main challenges, along with limited market demand, land use and permitting requirements, and complexity and uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, as the market share for EVs continues to grow, it’s likely that more gas stations will explore the investment in charging stations to meet the growing demand of electric vehicle drivers.
