How can petrol stations survive and thrive in the age of electric vehicles?

The global market for electric vehicles (EVs) is booming as more consumers opt for cleaner, cheaper and smarter transport. A BloombergNEF says EV sales are expected to grow from 3.1 million in 2020 to 14 million in 2025, and to account for 58% of new car sales by 2040. In addition, several governments around the world are introducing policies to accelerate the transition to EVs, for example, the EU and some US states plan to ban sales of new petrol cars by 2035.

These trends pose an existential threat to the traditional gas station business model, which is based on the sale of gasoline and diesel to fuel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. study says hydrocarbon sales will fall to about half of current levels by 2040.

From AlixPartners study says the number of petrol stations in Europe could fall by 25% by 2035 as electric cars reduce demand for petrol by 60%.

But petrol station operators are not doomed. A existing sites, infrastructure and customer base, to offer EV charging services and gain a share of the growing EV market. By installing and operating EV charging stations, service stations can create new revenue streams, increase customer loyalty, and improve their brand image as a green company.

One of the key challenges for petrol station operators is to offer fast and convenient charging solutions that can compete with the speed and range of internal combustion vehicles. This requires high performance DC (DC) chargers that can deliver at least 200 kW of power and charge an EV battery from 10% to 80% in less than 15 minutes. However, DC chargers are expensive and complex to install and operate, requiring high voltage connectors, cooling systems and sophisticated software.

To overcome this challenge, petrol station operators can work with evDirect, which specialises in DC charging solutions for petrol stations. evDirect offers two types of fast charging solutions: evDirect Station and evDirect ESS.

evDirect Station

From evDirect Station a modular and scalable solution that can be installed at any charging station and supports up to 16 charging points. The system consists of a central power supply connected to the network and a number of charging units connected to the EVs. The power supply is capable of delivering up to 2.8 MW of power and can be remotely monitored and controlled via the evDirect cloud platform. The charging units are compact and flexible, and can be installed in place of existing petrol pumps or on new sites. They can deliver up to 350 kW of power and can charge any EV model using the universal CCS2 connector. The chargers also have a user-friendly interface that allows customers to start and stop charging, as well as pay by credit card or mobile app.

evDirect ESS

From evDirect ESS a high-performance charging solution with energy storage for petrol station operators. It consists of a "power cube", a "battery cube" and four charging sockets. The power cube contains a 200 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery and can deliver up to 540 kW of power. The battery cube stores the energy from the solar panels to stabilise the power supply. The system can charge any EV model using the universal CCS2 connectors, providing up to 240 kW of power each. The evDirect ESS solution can be installed anywhere with a grid connection of at least 64 kW.

The system does not require a special installation permit, as the battery and solar panel are not connected to the electricity grid. The project can be commissioned in less than four months from ordering. The power supply cabinet, battery cabinet and distributors work seamlessly together to balance the power supply and demand between the grid, batteries, EV charging and solar. The return on investment is expected to be between four and seven years, depending on the location. (This is not intended as financial advice or an offer!) With a very low interest rate (1.5%), Hungarian government subsidised loans are also available, which we can help our customers obtain.

The benefits of a quick changeover

Using evDirect's fast-loading solutions, you can station operators can offer their customers a superior charging experience and benefit from

Increasing revenues: Charging station operators can charge extra for fast charging and generate additional revenue by selling other products and services - such as snacks, drinks or car washes - while customers wait for their EV to charge.

Greater loyalty: Petrol station operators can retain existing customers switching to EVs and attract new customers looking for fast and convenient charging. They can also offer loyalty programmes and discounts to encourage repeat visits and referrals.

Better image: Service station operators can enhance their brand image and reputation by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and innovation. They can also differentiate themselves from their competitors and gain a competitive advantage in the EV market.

This suggests that charging station operators can survive and thrive in the electric vehicle era by offering fast and convenient charging solutions to their customers. By partnering with evDirect, they have access to state-of-the-art DC charging technology that can be easily installed and operated at any location. As a result, they can turn the transition to electrification into an opportunity for growth and success.