Twenty minutes. That’s how long the average EV driver spends at a charging stop. For smart business owners, that’s twenty minutes of captive, higher-income customers with nothing to do but walk through your door. Think of an attached retail outlet or strip mall as akin to a built-in waiting room at a doctor’s office; except, instead of flipping through outdated magazines, drivers charging their vehicles are browsing your shelves.
The electric vehicle revolution isn’t coming — it’s already here. With 1.7 million EVs sold in the United States in 2024 alone — a 21% jump over the prior year — the question for business owners is no longer whether to think about EV charging. It’s whether you can afford to keep ignoring it.
Dwell Time Is the New Gold for EV Chargers to Make Money
Here’s the core business case: when someone fills up a gas tank, they’re in and out in five minutes. When someone charges an EV, they’re on your property for 15 to 30 minutes — sometimes longer. That dwell time is an opportunity for EV charging profitability.
Convenience Store News recently reported that EV charging customers at c-stores often spend more in-store than the average fuel customer, and that operators with chargers are actively focused on converting that dwell time into purchases. It makes intuitive sense: a customer who has 20 minutes to kill is far more likely to grab a sandwich, a coffee, or a snack than someone sprinting back to their car after a quick fill-up.
One BTC POWER field representative shared an anecdote that illustrates this well: visiting a large box store in Northern California where BTC chargers had been installed in the parking lot, he found the in-store Starbucks packed at 10 a.m. on a Monday and every charger occupied. He asked a store employee if they’d noticed a difference since the chargers went in. The response: a noticeable uptick in traffic — roughly 20 to 30 percent.
Commercial EV Charger Customers: A New, Higher-Value Customer Base
EV charging doesn’t just bring more customers — it brings a different kind of customer. EV owners, on average, have higher household incomes than the general driving public, and that population is younger and more diverse. That means the demographic showing up to charge at your location has more discretionary income to spend while they wait.
For convenience stores and retailers who have historically served a broad, price-conscious market, this is a meaningful shift. Strip mall owners, in particular, stand to benefit: adding chargers draws a new wave of foot traffic to every tenant, including the coffee shop, nail salon, or casual dining restaurant. People plan their charging stops around amenities. They’ll choose a location with fast food, ice cream, or a convenience store over the lot with nothing but a charging station.
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How long does it take to recoup the investment in an EV Charger?
Location, location, location. And a good charger. Learn the essential requirements about future-proofing your investment.
Apps like PlugShare and virtually every major navigation platform now include EV charging as a destination category. Word of mouth among EV owners is powerful, too — if your location has reliable chargers and good amenities, you’ll earn recommendations inside an engaged community of drivers.
It’s a Symbiotic Relationship and Commercial EV Chargers Make Money
Think of EV charging profitability as a two-way street. On one side, EV drivers naturally seek out your location because of existing amenities such as a good restaurant, a grocery store, or a clean restroom. On the other hand, drivers who came specifically for charging discover your other offerings and spend money they otherwise wouldn’t.
This symbiotic dynamic is already reshaping how some entrepreneurs think about business development. Charging-forward concepts like Rove in Southern California, which pairs high-speed charging with upscale food and attractive amenities, show how the tail can wag the dog: the EV chargers become the anchor that drives the rest of the business. It’s the modern version of what the gas station did for the convenience store.
Some federal and utility grant programs are even beginning to require amenities as a condition of funding, such as restrooms, lighting, and nearby services. That’s not a coincidence. Policymakers recognize that EV charging works best when it’s part of a complete experience.
Multiple Revenue Streams Beyond the EV Charger
The charging session itself can be profitable, especially in high-traffic markets, but the real upside is often in what surrounds it. In addition to in-store spending, consider:
- Advertising revenue: Many modern chargers feature large, high-definition touchscreens. Like the pump-top media at gas stations, these screens can display ads for nearby businesses or external advertisers, potentially generating passive income or highlighting special deals to entice drivers into the store.
- Site leasing: Not every property owner wants to own and operate the charging hardware. Leasing your parking spaces to an EV charging company lets you capture passive income with minimal involvement.
Location Is Everything for How to Make Money with EV Chargers
Like any business investment, EV charging rewards thoughtful planning. A well-placed charger at a high-traffic location, such as near a highway, in a suburban strip mall, or in a dense urban corridor, can generate strong returns. A charger in an isolated area with no nearby amenities will struggle to attract the sustained traffic needed to recoup costs.
The good news for those in areas that seem off the beaten path: if you can create a compelling destination with clean facilities, good food, reliable Wi-Fi, and fast chargers, drivers will plan their routes around you. Think of it as the modern roadside diner. People don’t stop because they happen to pass by. They stop because someone told them it was worth the exit.
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Gen 4 Fleet Charger
The next generation of dynamic power sharing for DC charging
Power Your Ev Charger Profitability with BTC POWER
BTC POWER’s Gen 4 All-in-One (AiO) DC Fast Charger is purpose-built for exactly these kinds of high-traffic commercial settings. Capable of delivering an 80% charge in as little as 10 to 15 minutes, it maximizes customer turnover while keeping drivers satisfied. Its dynamic power sharing technology intelligently distributes power across two vehicles simultaneously.
These capabilities and engineered design make the Gen 4 AiO DC fast charger ideal for convenience stores, strip malls, and travel-oriented locations where throughput matters. The large touchscreen display supports promotional messaging and advertising, giving location owners yet another way to monetize the installation.
The Gen 4 is a commercial EV charger future-proofed for a long life. Here are some of the competitive advantages:
- Ready to ship in 4-6 weeks
- Buy America compliant
- CAleVIP Eligible
- 15” or 32” touchscreen
- 500A liquid-cooled cables
- Modular system for future upgrades
As North America’s largest manufacturer of commercial EV chargers, BTC POWER brings more than 20 years of charging expertise to every installation. We don’t just sell hardware; we help you evaluate your site, navigate incentive programs, and find the solution that makes the most sense for your business.
Ready to see how EV charging can work for your location? Contact a BTC POWER application engineer today.
About the Author: Jack Hepsen
