What is Destination Charging?
Destination chargers are located at travel endpoints or the final stop on a driver’s journey, where the vehicle will be parked overnight or for an extended period. These locations often include stores, hotels, malls, airports, parking garages, restaurants, and other popular destinations. Destination charging is a great fit for any situation where an EV will be parked for hours or days. Since vehicles remain parked for long periods, Level 2 chargers, which are commonly used in home charging setups, are typically the best choice for destination charging ports.
Experts agree that destination charging will play a key role in bridging the gaps between other public and private charging options. It ensures that wherever drivers find themselves parking their cars, there’s a charger waiting for them to keep their batteries topped off.
Residential chargers alone won’t satisfy the nation’s projected EV charging needs, and private charging may be unavailable for those who don’t live in single-family homes. Convenient nearby charging is essential for residents of multi-family housing and apartment buildings, and destination chargers throughout the community can help fulfill this critical need.
Benefits of Installing Destination Charging
Public charging is increasingly becoming a profitable business venture. Destination charging and its associated equipment are far easier to install and less capital-intensive than traditional gas station infrastructure. For example, building a conventional fueling station costs up to $10 million and takes months to complete, while adding six Level 2 charging points to a parking lot costs around $40,000 and can be completed in just a few weeks.
Because they’re cheaper to install, Level 2 chargers can be deployed much faster and in more locations than Level 3 Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC). Destination charging is a great way to distribute recharging infrastructure, making charging more convenient for drivers and encouraging greater EV adoption.
Destination charging plays a central role in advancing EV adoption, and its projected growth represents a lucrative investment for CPOs and host locations. A recent study found that attractions like retail centers and restaurants within 100 meters of a public EV charger see average customer spending increase by 3.2% after the charger is installed.
How Long Does it Take to Charge an EV at a Destination Charger?
Charging speeds depend on factors such as the type of charger (Level 2 or Level 3), the vehicle, grid conditions, congestion, weather, and load demand. Even electric cars of the same model have a unique charging curve. In real-world conditions, Level 2 chargers take 4 to 10 hours to charge a battery from empty to 80%. Many destination chargers are free to use, as property owners are often willing to cover the electric bill in exchange for increased EV traffic and the customers it brings.
Use Cases for Destination EV Charging
Destination charging is a valuable addition for a variety of destinations, including:
- Retail and Shopping Centers
- Hospitality and Tourism Locations
- Workplaces and Business Parks
- Airports and Transit Hubs
Retail and Shopping Centers
EV drivers are more likely to choose shopping centers with charging facilities over competitors that don’t offer these services. Public electric vehicle charging stations attract higher-income visitors into new areas, benefiting residents by providing charging opportunities and supporting local businesses. Shoppers are likely to spend more time browsing and shopping while their vehicles charge. According to a Consumer Reports study, installing EV chargers at retail stores can increase foot traffic by 4% and revenue by 5%. Offering charging as a perk not only attracts new customers but also helps retain them and encourages repeat visits.
Hospitality and Tourism
Hotels and resorts are an ideal match for destination charging. From a branding perspective, providing EV charging enhances guest convenience while aligning with sustainability-focused marketing efforts. The car and an open road are quintessential symbols of American culture, with millions of American tourists hitting the road each year. However, long-distance driving has long been a barrier for tourists with EVs. Establishing a robust EV charging network can dispel charge anxiety and foster EV-based tourism, allowing travelers to continue their journeys with peace of mind.
Workplaces and Business Parks
Providing EV charging as a workplace perk can enhance employee satisfaction and encourage greater EV adoption. Offering workplace charging can effectively double the range of employees’ electric vehicles, giving them confidence in their daily commute. Nearly a third of all EV drivers don’t have access to home charging, making the ability to charge at work a valuable benefit that fosters greater EV adoption and supports employee retention. Additionally, offering workplace EV charging demonstrates your business’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Airports and Transit Hubs
Destination charging at airports and transportation hubs offers both convenience for travelers and environmental benefits. Transit hubs like airports and bus terminals are plagued by poor air quality, so incentivizing greater EV traffic in these areas can help significantly reduce air pollution. Additional customer benefits, such as the ability to charge vehicles while waiting or traveling, can be easily integrated with rewards programs or offered as a service to attract new customers and generate additional revenue from EV charging and parking fees. In some regions, regulations require airports to provide EV charging, and offering destination charging at these facilities can help demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.
Restaurants and Cafes
Longer Level 2 charging times can encourage patrons to stay longer, potentially boosting spending. However, this depends on the type of restaurant. For instance, a fast-food chain where a customer might only spend 15 minutes would be better suited for a DC fast charger. However, DC fast chargers are expensive, typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 for a single port. Restaurants located near other walkable attractions are better suited for Level 2 charging, as customers are more likely to leave their cars parked and charging while they dine and explore nearby shops and attractions.
Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare facilities already overcome two of the biggest practical and financial barriers to installing EV charging: The physical space required for chargers and the electrical infrastructure to support them. Even in crowded cities, hospitals typically offer ample parking, while robust backup electrical systems ensure uninterrupted charging during grid disruptions. Both staff and visitors often spend extended periods at healthcare facilities, creating a steady demand for EV charging. Additionally, integrating an EV charging hub at these locations showcases the facility’s commitment to sustainability and can help reduce local air pollution, ultimately benefiting patient health.
Parks and Recreation Areas
Noise and air pollution are major health hazards for people and wildlife. In 2023, national parks alone saw over 320 million unique visits. EVs, being silent and producing zero tailpipe emissions, are better suited for traveling through sensitive natural areas. By providing charging infrastructure at strategic locations outside parks and along developed park corridors, motorists gain peace of mind while being encouraged to stay longer and explore further—significantly reducing their environmental impact.
Conclusion
By offering EV charging at destination locations, businesses and facilities can enhance customer satisfaction, overcome drivers’ range anxiety , support sustainability goals, and potentially create new revenue streams. Charging sessions at these locations often last from hours to days, providing ample time for a full charge. With smart energy management, the system efficiently and automatically balances the load between idle vehicles and other power consumers onsite, prioritizing energy for those with the lowest battery levels and strategically maintaining charge levels for vehicles that remained parked for longer durations. Reach out to us to learn more about how Driivz smart energy management solutions can help turn your destination charging dream into a reality.
