With electric vehicle sales projected to be 140,000 units in the year 2014, it makes sense that retailers will look for ways to attract this emerging market to their stores. A growing number of retailers are installing EV charging locations with the hopes of luring this typically upscale driver. In the beginning it appears that stores, restaurants, malls and other retailers will not be charging a fee to use their charging stations with the hopes that the consumer will enter their store and spend money. In all, consumers living in the United States are projected to have access to 21500 public EV charging locations by the year 2015. Most will be level 2 chargers that can recharge a depleted EV battery in 6 to 8 hours. Even though the federal government allocated 400 million for installing publicly accessible charging stations to help retailers, very few will be level 3 rapid chargers because the cost can be in excess of $100,000 per unit.
Here is a list of retailers that are already using EV charging stations to attract consumers.
The Cracker Barrel- This chain has committed to install charging locations in 24 of its restaurants in the state of Tennessee, which coincidentally is where Nissan will start building the LEAF next year.
Simon Property Group- The largest owner of U.S. shopping malls said it is adding EV charge points to its 260 store mall in Orlando Florida and the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto California.
Macy's- Last week Macy's reached an agreement with ECOtality to install a dozen EV charging stations at six Macy's department stores.
Mall Of America- Even though it is located in a colder climate the largest shopping mall in the country has already installed four charging stations in their parking ramps.
Best Buy- This home electronics giant will be installing EV chargers at most of their stores but will be charging an access fee for a variety of plans that will top out at $79.00 a month for unlimited access.
BellEVue Collection Shopping District- This shopping center which is located just east of Seattle added 15 charging stations in their parking lots.
Fred Meyers Supermarkets- In the process of installing EV charging locations at eight of their Seattle and Portland area stores.
As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, retailers are hoping to profit from charging station installations by pitching both the ability to recharge while you shop and the convenience of having prime parking spaces reserved for people with electric vehicles.
You can read more articles about electric vehicles and view maps of EV charging locations here http://www.evcharginglocations.com/ Thanks.
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