Our roads are undergoing a rapid transformation in public and commercial mobility, with electric vehicles proliferating around the globe. While this is undoubtedly a positive change that will reduce tailpipe emissions and decarbonize transport, there is a huge challenge ahead in terms of meeting the public charging needs of these EVs.
Particularly in Europe and the US, where the transition to electric vehicles is well underway, a vast network of public charging stations is needed to support the full eMobility transition, comparable to the widespread availability of fuel pumps for diesel and petrol cars.
To achieve this, more and more public charging stations will need to be installed to help drivers recharge en route. This represents a potentially lucrative new opportunity for businesses who capitalize on becoming a destination charging location.
So, for those interested, what exactly is destination charging and how do retailers, store owners and wholesalers become a destination charging location? This article answers all of these questions and offers a rundown of how Heliox can help.
What is Destination Charging?
While not yet at the numbers required to sustain the rapidly growing clean energy transition, public settings, and semi-public spaces are starting to see more and more EV chargers being installed.
According to figures from the International Energy Association, At the end of 2022, there were 2.7 million public charging points worldwide, with Europe accounting for 460 000 public EV slow charging stations and 70,000 fast chargers. While this is a considerable number, to meet the charging needs of all the electric cars on the road, there will need to be 3.4 million charging points installed in Europe by 2030, according to a recent study by McKinsey and Company.
Many fuel service stations across Europe and North America have EV chargers on site, but unlike petrol pumps, EV chargers often require less space and can exist as a standalone feature in places beyond the traditional space of a gas station.
As such, public spaces including shopping centers, car parks, workplaces, offices, hotels and even restaurants have installed EV chargers on their premises. This is what has become known as destination charging.
Destination charging is not only advantageous for businesses who choose to install EV chargers, they also make visiting these locations more accessible for EV drivers.
Businesses and municipalities who choose to become destination charging locations can also earn financial incentives while aiding the rollout of a new network of public EV charging stations that will be the of the electric mobility revolution.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Public Charging Location?
The benefits of destination charging are mutual, for both EV drivers and public charging location managers and operators.
Today, most destination chargers are low-speed chargers, which means that drivers benefit from the convenience of charging their EV while they take part in recreational activities like shopping and other leisure activities. They also no longer have to worry about their vehicle range, being reassured by the knowledge that there is a guaranteed charging station at their destination and shorter queues for fast chargers at service stations on highways and other high-volume traffic areas.
For future-thinking businesses who want to become a destination charging location, the benefits are greater still.
Firstly, by installing a charging station on their premises they can increase their foot traffic and attract a new pool of loyal customers, as EV drivers will reliably choose a destination that they know offers a charge point. Once there, customers are also likely to spend longer at the destination while their EVs charge, which could translate into more revenue for businesses.
Outside of the financial benefits that destination charging stations can bring, they are also a reinforcement of a business or retailer’s credibility and reputation when it comes to sustainability.
It demonstrates a commitment to building a sustainable future for transport networks and promotes the update of electric vehicles through improving the EV driving experience, making it more accessible.
For existing service stations that offer petrol and diesel pumps, including an EV charger on site is a way to tap into a new revenue stream, whilst supporting alternative fuels, and future-proofing their business models.
By acting now, businesses who are considering becoming a destination charging location can also take advantage of government incentives and subsidies as they increasingly look to support the rollout of public charging options.
How Heliox can help businesses become a destination charging location
As the leader in rapid charging solutions, Heliox has an excellent track record of providing reliable and efficient charging solutions for projects at every scale.
For businesses that want to become a destination charging location, Heliox has a range of solutions in the Rapid Charging System family of products that deliver high-power public charging with integrated payment terminals that are easy to use. These are considered excellent all-in-one charging solutions for businesses and EV drivers in terms of safety, reliability, and their user-friendly accessibility.
The Heliox Rapid Charging Family
Heliox Rapid 150 kW: This is ideal solution for fast charging in a public location or on the motorway. The Heliox Rapid 150 kW consists of a power cabinet and a pedestal. The connection with the power cabinet provides ultimate flexibility, and the modular design makes it easy to increase power in the future to increase capacity. The housing of the Rapid 150 kW can even be customized with branding, making it a stunning promotional feature to help businesses stand out.
Heliox Rapid 50 kW: Is the best all-in-one rapid public charger. The Rapid 50 kW set up offers great compatibility and can be used for every modern electric vehicle in Europe, due to its triple outlet (CHAdeMO + CCS2 + ACtype2) plugs. It even has simultaneous charging enables, with 1x AC and 1x DC plug. Just like the larger Rapid 150 kW, the housing of the Rapid 50 kW can be customized with branding and logos to promote businesses and act as an eye-catching feature.
Find out more about how Heliox can help your businesses with EV charging solutions.
