EV Charging and Gas Stations: Historically for a really long time, the only possible fuel outlets for passenger vehicles have been Gas Stations (also known as Petrol Pumps or Petrol Stations on the other side of the pond). However, there has been a huge increase in sales volume since 2019 for EVs (Elecric Vehicles). EV sales volume was 10.5M in 2022 and expected to be in the range of 75M in 2035 or may be more. And, this is a new reality for sure in cars and other light motor vehicles.
Major Shift: EVs have brought in a major shift in the requirement of type of fuel. And, this is evident from the fact that we see lots of EV charging stations coming up at various locations- inside/ outside malls, close to retail outlets like Wal-mart, Costco or Loblaws outlets. Looks like EV charging ports are trying to match in numbers to the gas stations. Of course, we are far from that stage when the infrastructure for EV will be available everywhere.
Competition and Collaboration: We live in a competitive environment and for any business to succeed, they have to believe in basic philosophy Customer is King. It means you have to provide the best to customer at the right price and the price has to beat the prices of other vendors in the field. So, sometimes you compete and sometimes you collaborate.
Suggestion: In a business world, Collaborate means union of two or more companies / businesses to create something bettter together than doing solo. In the present context, I would like to explain why collaboration is better than competition.
Existing Infrastructure: Presently we have a huge infrastructure of gas stations all over the globe. Today’s gas stations are not just for filling up gas tanks of your car. Almost every gas station has been turned into an express retail outlet with daily needs and a coffee corner. Some gas stations have franchise locations of Starbucks, Tim Hortons or burger giants like A&W etc. And, you can not imagine how much sale is made by franchise locations of 711 stores in many countries.
And, on the number side, based on my personal observations and research, the sales volume in terms of dollar value may still be higher in selling gas as compared to other items in the outlet. However, I am quite sure the profit margin will be higher in sale of other items as compared to gas sales.
Solution: The purpose of above analysis is that there needs to be collaboration between EV charging ports and gas stations. EV manufacturers need to collaborate with the existing gas stations and vice versa to bring in EV charging ports in their locations. There is less need to create stand alone EV charging ports. Expansion will be much quicker and more secured.
Safety: Since high powered lithium batteries are used on the EVs, it is of utmost importance to be careful with the charging instructions in the vehicle manual. Not only that, in my view charging should not be done by installing chargers at home instead commercial public chargers be used. The reason is that commercial / public chargers are installed in the open areas with municipality safety standards and regular inspection and maintenance is done. There have been number of cases of serious fire due to use of in-house installed EV chargers.
This blog is meant for EV manufacturers like Tesla, GM, Ford, KIA,Hyndai, BMW etc., oil giants like Exxon Mobil / Suncor / Shell and all gas station owners and owners of EVs.