Businesses are plugging into a new market for revenue: EV owners looking to park and charge up. After a record 1.2 million EV sales last year, there are now 4.5 million EVs on the road in the US. Those EVs need time to charge throughout the daytime that companies believe can be spent shopping.

• Walmart plans to install thousands of chargers at its stores, including Sam’s Club locations, by 2030. Ikea embarked on a similar venture in 2022.
• Kohl’s has more than 375 charging stations at 170 stores, while select Macy’s stores have been EV-friendly since 2014.
• Gas stations are investing in chargers that can get drivers back on the road in 20 to 30 minutes—just enough time to buy some beef jerky and Doritos from the attached convenience store.

Chargers’ Equal Revenue. A recent survey showed that 80% of EVgo charger users spend ~$1 shopping for every minute spent charging.

A Bit of a Weight Problem. EVs can be thousands of pounds heavier than the average gas-powered vehicle. Experts warn the extra weight from EVs could cause older parking garages to collapse unless steps are taken to buttress the structures.