Press Release
May 27, 2020
Contact: Stephanie Gagnon, GagnonS@c2es.org, 703-516-0633
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Offers Revenue Opportunities to Retailers
Companies should engage with key stakeholders including utilities, charging station service providers, and customers
WASHINGTON— The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), along with Atlas Public Policy, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), and David Gardiner and Associates (DGA) unveiled findings today on strategies for expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at retail locations. The organizations, which collectively formed a strategic partnership to explore key issues in design, installation, and operation of fleet and passenger vehicle charging infrastructure, published two reports highlighting the importance of engaging key stakeholders and examining potential business models and opportunities for retailers.
The findings from the reports will be discussed in a webinar today at 1:15pm, including speakers from Georgia Power and EVgo. [LINK]
A C2ES analysis, based on interviews with utilities, charging station service providers, and non-profits, found:
- When designing, installing, and operating EV charging infrastructure for both fleets and passenger vehicles, retailers should engage with key stakeholders, which include their local utility, charging station service providers, and customers;
- Retailers can maximize charging station profitability by optimizing fee structures that create customer turnover, increase dwell times, and use advertising streams.
Since medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles are relatively new to markets, the C2ES analysis also provides an independent evaluation of opportunities to develop fleet charging infrastructure. The report discusses the importance of why retailers should also engage with their product suppliers and delivery services providers, especially if a retailer does not own its fleet or leases it to a third party.
Read Electric Vehicle Charging for Retailers [LINK]
A separate brief from Atlas Public Policy examines common business models employed by charging service providers and provides analysis that explores potential financial scenarios for charging infrastructure hosts. As the passenger electric vehicle (EV) market grows in the United States, public charging infrastructure has not kept pace, and this gap is expected to grow as EV prices drop and vehicles sales expand into new markets. Retailers are uniquely positioned to shrink the existing public charging infrastructure gap by installing EV charging stations at their store locations. Hosting an EV charging station offers a range of potential benefits for retailers, including direct revenue from charging station use, increased sales, and improved corporate branding.
Read Public EV Charging Business Models for Retail Site Hosts [LINK]
“In addition to supporting the public adoption of this clean energy solution, leveraging their footprint to expand the electric vehicle infrastructure provides retailers with an opportunity to generate long-term business value and revenue. And while retailers are uniquely positioned to contribute to EV market growth, these new reports reveal the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, public and private, to ensure the infrastructure keeps pace with growing demand,” said Erin Hiatt, RILA Senior Director of Sustainability & Innovation.
“Closing the charging infrastructure gap is key to the continued adoption of electric vehicles and reducing greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector. These reports help companies seize opportunities which can both improve their bottom line and advance the fight against climate change,” said Nick Nigro, Founder of Atlas Public Policy.
“Expanding charging infrastructure is essential to expanding the market for electric vehicles, enabling owners of both passenger and commercial vehicles to substantially reduce their carbon footprints. These reports demonstrate not only that this endeavor is feasible, but that it can be profitable for companies that own or operate the chargers,” said C2ES President Bob Perciasepe.
“Electric trucks are cleaner, cheaper, and smarter than conventional models. To put more electric trucks on the road, the number one action we can take is to make charging infrastructure convenient and inexpensive,” said David Gardiner, President of David Gardiner and Associates. “This new analysis shows that utilities, policy makers, retailers and trucking companies and others must work together to expand charging infrastructure so that we can put these clean trucks on the road and reap their economic and environmental benefits.”
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About Retail Industry Leaders Association: RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad. Learn more at www.rila.org.
About Atlas Public Policy: Atlas Public Policy’s mission is to equip businesses and policymakers to make strategic, informed decisions through the greater use of technology that aggregates publicly available information. Atlas arms our audience with the information necessary to encourage the use of new technologies and products along with changes in consumer behavior. Learn more at www.atlaspolicy.com.
About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to forge practical solutions to climate change. Our mission is to advance strong policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. Learn more at www.c2es.org
About David Gardiner and Associates: David Gardiner and Associates is a strategic advisory firm focused on climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and an expanded and modernized electric grid. We work with businesses, associations, institutions, and others to accelerate climate and clean energy solutions and policy. Learn more at www.dgardiner.com.