As more and more electric vehicles hit the road, businesses providing EV users a place to charge their vehicles can create a win-win situation for both parties. Business owners can benefit from hosting an EV charging station by attracting eco-conscious customers and creating a competitive edge.

The benefits of EV charging stations at business establishments include increased footfalls, enhanced customer loyalty & a positive environmental impact.

Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theatres, hotels, retail stores, multi office buildings, paid parking lots, automobile dealers, etc can capitalize and get an early mover’s advantage by hosting an EV charging station.

According to a recent study by MIT, presence of EV charging stations can boost customer spending at nearby businesses by up to 37%. Another similar report by Numerator, a market research company, found that 61% of EV owners are more likely to shop at retailers with EV charging facilities.

EVs are projected to account for over 50% of new vehicle sales by 2030. For business owners, understanding how to integrate EV charging into their operations can position them at the forefront of this change. In this article, Kazam brings you 5 reasons why businesses should install EV chargers at their properties:

1. To Attract New Customers:

Let’s start with the most obvious reason: attracting customers. Upon spotting an EV charging station, EV users may stop at your store to top-up their vehicles. Regardless of your business type, installing an EV charger has been found to help businesses improve footfall. After all, if a potential customer can get something they need and charge their vehicle at the same time, it’s more likely they will choose your place.

Business owners can even communicate deals and offers with EV owners while their vehicle is being charged. Also, the extra time spent waiting for EVs to charge gives people more time to explore and make purchases.

2. To Put Your Business On The Map:

Most EV users rely on EV charging apps to locate charging points. If a business installs an EV charger and it starts appearing on Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc, it can help attract new customers. Businesses can also partner with EV charging networks (like Kazam) to host their EV charging stations and be visible on their EV charging app.

3. To Stand Out From The Crowd:

Shoppers who come via EVs will likely want to have the option to charge while they shop. Therefore, offering EV charging points may mean you are chosen above competing businesses.

With many businesses struggling to compete with e-commerce websites/apps, it’s becoming increasingly important for conventional stores to provide a superior shopping experience. Offering EV charging facilities will provide a competitive edge and help build customer loyalty.

4. To Retain Employees:

Having EV charging facilities at the workplace demonstrates a farsighted approach on part of the employer. It may help in retaining your workforce as well as attracting eco-conscious employees from other organizations. Installing EV chargers may also actively encourage environment-friendly behaviour among employees.

5. The EV Fleet Factor:

Businesses that operate large EV fleets can save money in the long run by installing their own EV charging infrastructure. If your fleet drivers return to a central hub at the end of each working day, then installing workplace charging stations is a cost-effective idea. For fleets, it is advised not to rely totally on public EV charging stations to power your EV fleet. It should be used only during long distance travel or during emergencies.

For those really looking into the future, investing in renewable energy generation such as solar & biogas can further increase savings and make your business stand apart as an environment-friendly one.

Conclusion:

With electric vehicles becoming more and more popular, widespread EV adoption and expecting provision of EV charging facilities at business establishments & workplaces as standard is not too far off. Businesses can gain a competitive edge by making an early move. As EV adoption continues to grow, the investment in charging infrastructure today can help future-proof your business.

For complete energy management and EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website and reach out to us business@kazam.in