My local Wawa has 3 fuel islands with 2 pumps on each side of each - 12 fuel pumping stations. The pumps stay pretty brisk in serving customers.
They also had about 10 Tesla brand charging stations put in. I notice maybe 2-3 EVs sitting there charging during the day when I swing by.
Consider:
- It takes about 5 minutes to get whatever fuel you need at the fuel pumping station and you’re on your way
- It takes about 30 minutes to get enough electric charge to move you on your way far enough to satisfy you
Let’s do the math:
Gasoline: 12 cars get fueled every 5 minutes - that’s 144 cars per hour
Electric: 3 cars get (partially) fueled very 30 minutes - that’s 6 cars per hour
The numbers just do not work with regard to available real estate for the charging station and EV.
Further, how can a store that earns a great deal off high traffic revenue survive in this business model?
It cannot.
✔
“Further, how can a store that earns a great deal off high traffic revenue survive in this business model?”
Except for Costco and Sam’s Club I rarely see more than 3-6 cars at a gas station and they are surviving.
Half their customers are NOT getting gas and half those getting gas never go inside.
On the hopes that the EV owner will waltz in and buy a $5 latte while their car is charging. Wawa, Sheetz, Speedway and a few other gas stations sell food and drinks superior to anything served at Starbucks. We even go there sometimes for quality fast food.