Stores urged to embrace EV chargers despite slow vehicle uptake, says MFG

Independent stores and forecourts have been urged not to ignore the opportunity with electric vehicle (EV) chargers, despite sales of EVs lagging behind expectation.

Speaking at the Scottish Grocers Federation’s Mini Summit in June, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) EV director, Martin Symes highlighted the opportunity for stores with an EV charger to attract more frequent visits from transient customers.

He said: “The sale numbers of EVs are the same as last year and we haven’t seen the expected growth that the industry or the government was hoping for, but truthfully that comes down to education.

“Owning an EV is a different lifestyle and in the future you will charge an EV anywhere you stop. Running a phone down to zero or charging it to 100% is bad for a phone’s battery, and it’s also bad for an EV. There’s a retail opportunity for almost every retailer out there.”

Previously experts have highlighted the opportunity for stores with EV chargers, stressing potential food to go and impulse sales for customers while they wait. Some vehicles can take 10 minutes to receive an adequate charge. East of England Co-op has recently struck a partnership with EV charging firm Osprey.

However, Symes did state barriers around the adoption of EVs due to high pricing of some models.