Charging station development concepts are still in their infancy. Today, electric vehicle users can find charging stations sprinkled here and there in shopping center parking lots, especially in high-end suburban and urban retail center destinations in areas where EV car sales are high such as California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Colorado and Washington, D.C.
Within the last year, there have been a few retailers that have partnered with various charging station brands to have the features in front of their establishments. Starbucks partnered with Volvo to add 15 of its charging stations to some of its coffee houses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado, and Target, Walmart and IKEA have all partnered with Electric America to install its charging stations at various parking lots in the country.
The latest charging station trend, however, appears to be for either a restaurant brand, or the EV vehicle company itself, to create its own fun destination spot that incorporates the charging experience. Subway has partnered with GenZ EV Solutions, developers of fast charging stations, to create a “Subway Oasis” restaurant destination. Subway Oasis will feature charging canopies that the car can drive into, as well as a playground area, a green space, picnic tables, free Wi-Fi, and the Subway restaurant itself. At least three of its restaurants expect to be converted to this pilot concept by the end of the year, most likely in the Southeast, such as in Florida, where GenZ EV Solutions is based.
Tesla is also creating its own restaurant charging destination, to be called the “Tesla Supercharger Diner & Drive In” as announced at its investor presentation in early March. The company purchased a former Shakey’s Pizza restaurant building on a corner lot in Hollywood, Calif., and its future dining concept plans to feature 34 Tesla charging ports, as well as two movie screens, at least one that will be a drive-in, that will show 30-minute programming shorts on a loop. The two-story restaurant is expected to have indoor and outdoor seating, including a rooftop patio, as well as a carhop feature for those who wish to remain in their car.
