[danbr]

I’m somewhat surprised there aren’t more EV (DC) charging companies around.

There are dozens of various oil companies who have their own gas stations (subsidized by the oil industry?). Why don’t we see more electric companies building their own charging networks as well?

[panick21_]

Non of these companies except Tesla is making money on this. Setting up the infrastructure, dealing with licensing, maintenance its a huge bother and the electronics required doesn't come cheap and is production limited.

So the reality is this is a money losing business and will be for years to come.

Electric utilities are pretty local and this only really makes sense as a large system.

[darknavi]

The chargers are a money losing buisness, but charging an EV takes 10-30-45 minutes. Pretty surprised WaWa, 7/11, Chevron, etc. haven't blasted them to their gas stations as I assume they are a great way to get foot traffic to your store.

[zdragnar]

Gas stations are usually franchises. Gas is sold on the thinnest of margins; it's the snacks inside the store and other things that actually generate a profit, and none of that but the franchise fee for the name actually goes to the oil company.

[bryanlarsen]

You'd think that a fast charger would be even more valuable. You've got a captive customer for ~20 minutes, should be even easier to sell them stuff.

The problem is that it's enough time to walk to the restaurant next door rather than spending money at the gas station store.

I'm sure somebody will figure it out. Probably something like the food court model rather than current gas stations which are basically convenience stores.

[a4isms]

Time to rediscover the drive-in restaurant. Only in 2023, it has:

1. Fast charging in every spot;

2. Espresso and high-margin dessert-in-a-cup drinks served right to your vehicle;

3. Free high-speed unlimited WiFi for customers.

Why get out of your car to walk to the restaurant next door? Connect to the free WiFi, turn on the charging, and place your order.

Then relax in your car and leave a low-effort comment on Hacker News.

[ElijahLynn]

Add a high-tech charging dock or a self inserting charging snake and you don't even have to get out of the car.

[bryanlarsen]

I believe the OP was talking about the old style drive-through where you parked and the server came to your vehicle to take your order. The order taker can plug your car in for you too.

What an "interesting" combination of high tech and low tech...

[ElijahLynn]

Ahh, that would be interesting to have them plug in your car for you too. Very low-tech, very practical! They are likely getting a tip anyways!

[a4isms]

Yes, and old fogies like me can walk around such places proudly wearing our tee shirts that read: "To you, it's retro. To me, it's nostalgia."

[silverwasthere]

You mean a teenager?

[floren]

I wouldn't mind stopping at a Sonic drive-in for lunch & a charge...

[acomjean]

I know “all town fresh” is doing that at one location. They own gas stations, but added electric chargers and a small kinda upscale market attached.

We stop sometimes in Plymouth mass for a 20 minute break/ charge. It’s a good idea.

Supermarkets are another decent source of charging.

[rootusrootus]

> Gas is sold on the thinnest of margins

While this is basically true, it's not that terrible. A pure gas station operates on about the same profit margin as a grocery store. Both fairly thin, but both are successful businesses.

[foxyv]

I think the profit margins suck. Especially since a lot of states have regulations about selling power without exceptions for EV chargers. Also people aren't usually willing to pay much for charging. This is why you mostly see EV chargers at hotels and shopping centers that can earn indirect revenue from attracting customers who are waiting for EV charging.

[cptcobalt]

There are dozens (ChargePoint, EVgo, Volta, etc.) yet Electrify America is the one that's getting the most funding (government subsidies and automaker reparations for emissions scandals) for installations and therefore is the most visible.

[browningstreet]

They built a brand new gas station near my house, with full serve car wash and a "natural foods" cafe, along a running path around a wetlands, and I thought -- if there was ever a gas station formula that should've included a charging station too, it was something like that. But no, no charging.

[makerofspoons]

While less common out west, Shell bought Greenlots which operates a network of DC charging stations in the northeast: https://greenlots.com/shell-fleet-solutions/

[adolph]

I wonder if there is enough demand to sell a kit to rural sites or for disaster response that hooks a charger outlet to a gas powered generator.