The head of the British Chambers of Commerce warned that the Government was not providing a 'functioning public realm' as the Prime Minister prepares to fly to COP28
Well no shit, if you need this article to tell you there is a lack of charging points then you aren’t really paying attention to them, maybe it’s better in built up areas but the closest one to me is over an hour drive.
The problem is that the closest one to me is in a motorway service station. So what am I supposed to do charge up, and then just sort of wander around in WHSmith for an hour while it charges?
My understanding – and this was material I’ve read over the years about US gas stations, though I imagine that the same might be true for the UK – is that gas stations barely break even on selling gas, and they make their money selling stuff in the attached convenience store. The gas just draws customers.
Most gas stations barely turn a profit on their core product — and when the price of oil goes up they may even take a loss on it.
Battling small margins, cutthroat competition, and the looming threat of electric vehicles, many gas stations are more reliant than ever on secondary revenue streams.
The real money is made inside the store
Today, 80% of all gas stations have a convenience store on site.
According to a study conducted by the National Association of Convenience Stores, 44% of gas station customers go inside. And among them, 1 in 3 ends up indulging in some kind of treat.
The goods inside these stores — Doritos, sunglasses, lotto tickets, energy drinks — only account for ~30% of the average gas station’s revenue, yet bring in 70% of the profit.
So if you’re a restaurant off the highway or something, having charging stations might be a way to ensure customers.
Definitely better in built up areas. I’ve never had a problem with one, even on 4+ hour journeys on motorways and A roads. From what other EV drivers say though I gather the problem is worse in the north than the south.
Well no shit, if you need this article to tell you there is a lack of charging points then you aren’t really paying attention to them, maybe it’s better in built up areas but the closest one to me is over an hour drive.
The problem is that the closest one to me is in a motorway service station. So what am I supposed to do charge up, and then just sort of wander around in WHSmith for an hour while it charges?
My understanding – and this was material I’ve read over the years about US gas stations, though I imagine that the same might be true for the UK – is that gas stations barely break even on selling gas, and they make their money selling stuff in the attached convenience store. The gas just draws customers.
https://thehustle.co/why-most-gas-stations-dont-make-money-from-selling-gas/amp/
So if you’re a restaurant off the highway or something, having charging stations might be a way to ensure customers.
Definitely better in built up areas. I’ve never had a problem with one, even on 4+ hour journeys on motorways and A roads. From what other EV drivers say though I gather the problem is worse in the north than the south.
Yeah I’m in the outskirts of Manchester, there’s plenty in the bigger cities but I live quite far from any
Not even any at any supermarkets? Supermarket is a great location as you stick it on charge while you do the weekly shop.
The biggest supermarket near us is Morrisons and I don’t think they do have them no,I checked a charging point map and it doesn’t say they do
Worth checking manually next time you are there. The maps aren’t always up to date. Sorry it’s hard finding a local charger.