EV charging hubs are a golden opportunity for the retail sector

The UK is moving towards a net zero future. Widespread adoption of electric transportation is a critical part of reducing emissions to improve public health and working towards a decarbonised transportation system. The SMMT projects that there will be around nine million EVs on UK roads by 2030. As we are becoming more accustomed to seeing EVs on our roads, more EV charge points at destination such as retail parks and shopping centres are appearing simultaneously. The growth of the EV charging market is essential - there will need to be an additional 48,000 public charge points to support the increasing demand. Hubs with multiple EV charging bays are going to become a much more familiar sight as more people choose to drive EVs. Having the opportunity to charge an EV at a retail park whilst enjoying the site’s plethora of shops, restaurants, and services is very attractive for drivers. It is an added convenience that is not only beneficial to drivers, but retail park owners and operators. The need to install more EV charging to meet demand hubs brings an unmissable, revenue-generating opportunity for the retail sector to get in on this upward trend. Say hello to a new customer base Providing charging facilities for the thousands of fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids already on UK roads will bring even more customers to a retail site. Catering for these drivers will unlock this customer base - if the difference between two sites is EV charging, drivers are likely to prioritise the location which has a charging hub. An EV charging hub might also put your retail site on the map for new customers. Imagine a driver who has never visited your retail park before is looking for somewhere to charge on an online EV charging map, such as Zapmap. They see your park has an EV charging hub. You have just earned yourself a brand-new customer, who may not have visited your site if the EV charging hub was not there. Incidental on-site spend brings higher revenue Whilst rapid and ultra-rapid EV charging technologies will reduce charging times for drivers, there will be a window of waiting time when drivers could wish to do a food shop, grab a coffee and snack, or use the bathroom. Your retail site’s EV charging hub does more than transform the customer experience for the driver - it leads to a boost in revenue through incidental spend for your retailers. Increased customer satisfaction equals increased customer loyalty As the EV transition continues, competition for driver loyalty will increase. More landowners and retail parks will install charging infrastructure in the foreseeable future. Ensuring your customers have a memorable experience at your retail site with the additional perk of being able to charge their vehicle will therefore become even more important. Jumping on this upward trend now will help you establish buyer habits in your favour. After all, drivers won’t need to visit another retail location if they have a fantastic experience shopping and charging at your retail site. No more empty units at retail parks Retailers, too, are likely to be influenced by the presence of an EV charging hub at a potential site. As your site experiences increased footfall and incidental spend, you will be more attractive to potential retailers who are looking for a site to open their shop. Where to begin with your EV charging hub Considered planning, leveraging financial incentives, and creating a great user experience are key when thinking about designing and installing an EV charging hub. As EV charging experts, Mer is your first port of call for all these factors and more. Download your free eguide to learn more about how to build an EV charging hub and keep customers coming back to your site.