The Rise of Electric Vehicles and EV Charging Solutions

You’re about to get a lot smarter with electric car technology. We are experiencing the evolutionary shift to electric vehicles (EV) for personal transportation. The electric car has become the new sensation for drivers that want to improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions.

In 2015, the Tesla Model S was the highest selling all-electric car models in the United States at 27,700 units, followed closely by the Nissan Leaf, of which 17,269 units were sold.

Electric vehicles now represent an important step in decreasing energy waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and combat harmful effects of global warming.

5 Reasons to drive electric vehicles:

• Cheaper
• Cleaner
• Self-sufficient
• Easy
• Durable

The demand for electric vehicles is projected to rise over the next two decades. According to Statista, the number of environmentally-friendly cars in use globally, including both the hybrid and electric vehicles, is expected to reach 88.4 million units by 2020.

An improved infrastructure, as well as high gasoline prices in many countries, including Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan, has contributed to an increased demand for electric vehicles. In Germany, travel costs savings from switching to electric cars reached up to 67 percent in 2011.

This also only means charging stations throughout the U.S. are in high demand. Today there are over 13,720 electric stations, and 33,924 charging outlets, totaling 47,644 stations throughout the U.S.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy those numbers are expected to rise as more and more businesses invest in the charging infrastructure.

Many entrepreneurs, and big companies like Walmart, Walgreens, Kohl’s, and Whole Foods Market, have installed EV charging stations for their customers.

This is an innovative, and cost-effective way to attract customers, and also show the business is tech-savvy and green.

Business owners can also benefit from EV stations since they bring new and loyal customers that support electric mobility, and increases dwell-time significantly.

The EV charging infrastructure company ChargePoint reported that the installation of an EV charging customer increased dwell-time by an average of 50 minutes per customer. This also means there’s more time for customers to spend their money, while their vehicles charges.

Studies also indicate that over 85 percent of EV drivers have higher than average household income ($100k/year and greater). Attracting those customers is good for business.

Many cities in the U.S. have adopted and invested into green initiatives. A compiled list by researchers at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs shows the most EV-friendly cities in the U.S.

10 most EV-ready cities in the U.S. are:

1. Portland, OR
2. Washington, DC
3. Baltimore, MD
4. New York, NY
5. Denver, CO
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. Atlanta, GA
8. Chicago, IL
9. Austin, TX
10. San Francisco, CA

The researchers developed a ranking of municipal “PEV readiness” to contrast the variation in readiness among different cities.

Drivers can find EV charging stations, find new places to visit, and do business by using apps such as PlugShare.

For those managing commercial properties, EV charging stations also attract commercial tenants that value sustainability and want to project a progressive stance on transportation for their employees.

Benefits of installing EV charging stations:

• Help reinforce reputation, and contribute to your building’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
• EV charging stations bring extra revenue.
• EV stations are an amenity to residents.

For commercial solutions, EV charging gives the power to enhance businesses. For residential, drivers can get EV charging right at the comfort of their home, and property managers can attract valuable residents by offering convenient home charging.

The following EV products are suitable for both commercial and residential needs:

As electric vehicles continue to grow in the U.S., the demand for EV charging stations has outstripped supply.

More businesses and governments are scrambling to meet the power demands of green vehicle owners so that means more charging stations are needed.

Studies say as much as thousands of charging stations will be needed by 2020.

Now and in the future, businesses will continue to support the increasing demand for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and supplying the charging solutions.

Additionally, EV drivers will love a business that has green initiatives, and EV charging options that will keep them coming back not only for a charge, but to spend their money, and spread the word to fellow electric car owners.

Although we’re in the early days of electric vehicles, with these simple EV solutions, the future of EV will dominate, and gas-powered cars will be a thing of the past.