The Gas Station of the Future
Can filling the tank (or battery) be less of a necessity and more of an experience?
Good Morning!
Here are today’s highlights:
Ami Kassar was surprised to learn how many business owners leave money on the table by storing cash in low-interest accounts.
Can proclaiming your product “Made in the USA” balance higher manufacturing costs?
The overtime threshold is set to increase on January 1. Will Trump make it moot?
Here’s another challenge for the housing market: soaring HOA and condo fees.
OPPORTUNITIES
Is this the gas station of the future? “When Rove, billed as a gas station for electric vehicles, opened in mid-October in Santa Ana, California, much of the focus was on the charging posts. Boasting 40 DC fast chargers, including 28 Tesla superchargers, the site can power up more than 1,000 cars a day. But for those looking for clues about the future of EV infrastructure in the U.S., it may be more instructive to look past the chargers. In the 24/7 indoor lounge, car owners can plug in their laptops and catch up on work with on-site Wi-Fi. Next door, a smaller version of local upscale grocery store Gelson’s, called ReCharge, offers fresh fruit, coffee, baked goods, and sushi. A car wash and vacuum cleaners also get heavy use.”
“Rove offers a business model that sees charging as an experience, not just a necessity, one that other gas stations and convenience stores are seeking to emulate as they begin to embrace EV charging.”
“Rove found that EV drivers on average tend to spend 15 to 25 minutes charging, typically enough to fill half their battery. That additional time gives charging stations a chance to offer more than grab-and-go convenience. More upscale food and drink options mean higher margins and more profit.”
“Rove is currently working on expanding its network to 10 more sites throughout Southern California, what Reid calls ‘ground zero for EV ownership in the U.S.’ And a coalition of automakers has backed Ionna, a similar charger-and-market concept set to debut soon in North Carolina.”
“To create a space like Rove, Reid says, operators need enough power to run a large mall. That means finding an affordable site with access to the electric grid that has enough space for electrical equipment, a store, and room for cars that are charging and those that are waiting for an open space.” READ MORE
