Charging Experience at Convenience Stores: Improving Customer Value
For decades, convenience stores and fuel retailers have mastered the art of refueling. The sites are well-designed, the amenities are easy to access, and customers know exactly what to expect. But as more drivers shift to electric vehicles, convenience stores must evolve to create an equally reliable and engaging charging experience.
Adding a few chargers to the corner of a parking lot is not enough. It's not even the beginning. Customers want charging that is dependable, thoughtfully placed, and connected to the retail experience. Stores that get it right can increase basket size, win loyalty, and avoid losing ground to competitors who are rethinking what modern sites look like. This is where Voltera brings critical expertise.
Common Challenges with EV Charging at Retail Sites
Reliability and Maintenance
- Customers will not return if chargers are frequently broken.
- Operations and maintenance are often overlooked but critical for long-term success.
Site Design Limitations
- Chargers placed on the edge of a lot with no canopy, trash bins, or restroom access feel disconnected from the store, creating a difficult charging experience.
- Poor design can frustrate customers, especially those towing trailers or driving larger vehicles.
High Costs and Misconceptions
- Many retailers assume “it’s just a charger,” only to be surprised by permitting requirements, utility coordination, and deployment costs.
- Paying for everything upfront can make profitability timelines stretch much longer than anticipated.
How Convenience Stores Can Improve the Charging Experience
Align Charging with Customer Needs
A successful site should match the full range of customer use cases. Pull-through bays, easy access to amenities, and integration into the main store experience can all make charging more seamless.
Consider New Deployment Models
Instead of relying on outdated models where suppliers simply install a couple of chargers and walk away, convenience stores should evaluate more flexible approaches to provide the optimal charging experience:
- On-site deployments with dedicated support.
- Purpose-built charging hubs developed and operated by partners.
- Turnkey financing and operations models that shorten the path to profitability.
Learn from Retail Leaders
- Walmart is building its own charging platform across thousands of locations, proving the scale and complexity of these efforts.
- New entrants like Rove are creating premium experiences, pairing charging with high-end convenience stores and amenities. Traditional retailers risk losing share if they don’t adapt.
Voltera’s Role in Elevating Charging
Voltera works directly with convenience stores and fuel retailers to remove complexity and deliver a charging network that works for both the business and the customer. Our model includes:
- Capital investment: Voltera funds the infrastructure, reducing retailers’ upfront costs.
- Full-site development: From permitting to utility coordination, we handle the details.
- Operations and maintenance: Reliable performance keeps customers coming back.
- Flexible models: Whether it’s supporting chargers on an existing site or building a dedicated charging hub, Voltera develops and operates facilities on behalf of retailers.
By combining financial backing with deep operational expertise, Voltera allows convenience stores to focus on their core business while benefiting from a dependable and profitable charging experience.
A Better Customer Experience Drives Value
Done right, EV charging can become an extension of the convenience store business model. Customers spend more time on the site, buy more products, and develop habits around charging at the same trusted locations. With Voltera as a partner, stores can deliver a modern charging experience that is reliable, customer-focused, and financially sustainable.
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