How profitable is it to open your own electric lvl 2/3 charging station?

Off-Ramp
1

so I would like to open a charging station that uses mostly level 3 chargers (as thats seems to be in demand) and some level 2 chargers.

From what I have seen level 2 chargers cost 6k per port and level 3 costs 40k-170k per unit(I’m guessing 2 ports per unit).

I was wondering if yall could help me understand if it’s profitable or not to operate such an EV station.

are there any federal incentives for installing an EV charging station for public use?

does the federal government help with getting loans for the building of the project?

any information would be helpful.

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Don’t forget

  1. Maintenance
  2. Infrastructure (Is there a power draw enough to support multiple L3s)
  3. Land Rent
  4. Local Permits.
  5. Power Costs

SCE in CA is giving nice rebates to local businesses that add Chargers to their locations.

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If it was profitable at a friendly price point more people would do it.

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4

Not unless you’re part of a larger network - I can’t even think of an un-networked L3 charger (like true standalone location)

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What is your business plan for how to generate income from the captive audience stuck there for 30+ minutes?

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6

The correct answer is a Sheetz/Wawa/Buck-ees gas station or fast food.

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AAA is now offering a L3 charge for stranded members. So maybe look in that direction?

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8

Even a QT would do TBH.

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9

We gonna sink as low as a 7/11?

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10

If it’s a slower 50-62.5KW like Chargepoint CPE250 you could even put a 4 pack out front of a sit down jernt.

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11

Starbucks is getting into the game as well so opposite spectrum of a 7/11

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12

Still waiting for the right moment to open my “Charge and Chill” in Indiana. It will be like an electrified Buc-ee’s, somewhere that you can comfortable hang out for a half hour or so. Games and arcade for kids/family, internet and working stations for the business traveler, a little cafe with fast casual meals and coffee, maybe even a dog park?

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13

Don’t have to wait, open one next to a Tesla charging station. Poof! Profit!

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14

Most expensive is going to be the electrical infrastructure. If you find closed down supermarket with 1000-1200 service that can be refitted to help with the entertainment/food and used for your L3s this will help; you will need to get the money for local/state/fed governments to make it work and it will still cost a lot. As a stand-a-lone vs chain it get cost prohibitive but not impossible. Once you get an idea of cost, location, rebates and financing and you need to find a space let me know.

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15

Hear me out: A strip club that offered complimentary EV charging.

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Do you pay the charging session with singles?

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17

Only profitable if you pull a cable from your drier to the station.

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I’m sure there are plans for large private investment in this, just not yet, waiting for more EV’s on the road. I’ve read that the permits to get very high levels of current can be tedious. Maybe Elon will share some info on this :sunglasses:

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If you build it, they will come.

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Chicken or the egg type thing.

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