Serious question. I kind of understand how gas stations work, but who sets up public electric chargers? Why do they do it, and can I start one myself?
Who pays for them, who collects the money when people use them, and how does the whole thing even work?
I’ve heard of networks like Electrify America… what exactly is that? Is it a private company, a utility, or something else? How do they make money?
If I want a charger at my workplace, is there a company that will come install one that’s open to the public? Can I set up my own and charge people to use it? How do I handle payments? If I install one for myself, can I stop others from using it? Are there any laws about who can use which chargers?
DC fast chargers are expensive and usually found along highways for long-distance travel. These are run by big companies like Tesla (Superchargers), Electrify America, and Ionity (a group of automakers).
AC chargers are cheaper and found in cities, parking lots, and residential areas. These can be run by cities, energy companies, or even private businesses.
Who gets the money?
The power company gets paid for the electricity.
The charge point operator (CPO) makes money from running the station.
The company that makes the charger hardware (EVSE) gets paid for the equipment and maintenance.
The payment processor (MSP) takes a cut for handling transactions.
Can you make money?
Yes, you can become a CPO and set up public chargers, but it’s not really a great way to make money. The margins are low, and too many people are involved in the process.
If you want a charger at your office, that’s different. It would be for employees, and while you could track usage and charge them, it’s more of a workplace perk than a business opportunity.
It’s not a good business, which is why you don’t see chargers everywhere. I looked into it and even tried starting one, but the numbers just don’t add up. That’s why their stocks are doing so badly.
Hollis said:
It’s not a good business, which is why you don’t see chargers everywhere. I looked into it and even tried starting one, but the numbers just don’t add up. That’s why their stocks are doing so badly.
Would it make sense for a group of businesses, like in a strip mall, to install chargers together and split the cost? Could that bring in more customers?
@Teo
It might work if the businesses benefit from longer visits. If people are going to be there for a while—like restaurants or shopping malls—it could make sense. But if most customers only stop for a few minutes, it’s probably not worth it.