How Retailers Are Looking To Attract New Customers With EV Charging Stations

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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Questions And Answers About EV Charging Stations

With the price of gas hovering around the four dollar a gallon mark, consumer demand for electric vehicles is at an all time high. Manufactures are responding to this demand with a range of energy efficient, low emissions electric powered vehicles. Projections estimate that by 2012, twenty new models will be available to the public and that by the year 2015 there will be over three million electric vehicles on the road worldwide. Combine that with the do it yourselfers converting vehicles to electric and you have a huge demand for EV charging stations emerging. The questions that keep popping up are what are the different methods to charge my electric vehicle? and where can I recharge? After all what good is an electric vehicle if you have no place to charge it.

The infrastructure for EV charging is in its infancy but is starting to grow rapidly. This new wave of electric vehicles entering the market has created consumer demand for charging stations where consumers work, eat, shop and play. Municipalities are starting to add EV charging locations to their city owned buildings and parking garages. Retailers are starting to add EV charging stations to help draw and retain customers. Over time this supply should catch up to the demand.

There are three types of charging methods available. Below is an outline of what they are and how they work.

Level 1 Charging

-This is the most basic EV charging station and is done with the use of a regular household electrical socket with 120 volts at 15 or 20 amps. This is the slowest charging method providing about 4 miles of charge per hour. Typically this would be used for an overnight charge or in the case of an emergency. Using this method to recharge a full size electric vehicle like the Nissan Leaf would take about 16 to 20 hours.

Level 2 Charging

-Level 2 charging stations recharge faster than level 1 charging stations because they use a 240 volt circuit at 16 to 70 amps, similar to that used to power an electric stove or dryer. This charging station would typically be used at home and at public ev charging locations. Level 2 chargers can recharge a full size electric vehicle in 3 to 8 hours.

Level 3 Charging

-Level 3 charging stations, sometimes referred to as DC fast charge, or DC quick charge operate at 480 voltsDC and 125 amps. This is the fastest method available to date and will charge a full size electric vehicle to 80% in 28 minutes, with a full charge taking slightly longer. Public level 3 charging stations are rare, in part because of their huge cost; a level 3 charger can cost over $100,000 compared to a $3000.00 level 2 charger. Level 3 chargers will recharge a vehicles battery quickly, however repeated use will degrade the batteries and so it is not intended to replace overnight charging at home. It should be used to supplement level 2 charging for longer trips.

If you are looking to locate ev charging locations or ev charging stations please visit http://www.evcharginglocations.com/ Interactive maps show you where they are located. If you want to save money on gas by converting your car to electricity we also offer an easy do it yourself guide. Thanks

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