green charging - refuel at a garden centre :-)
Discussion
Expect to see much more of this sort of thing over the next couple of years:
https://365retail.co.uk/dobbies-garden-centres-rol...
ie destination charging, where private companies install charging infrastructure to leverage new customers into their premises.
https://365retail.co.uk/dobbies-garden-centres-rol...
ie destination charging, where private companies install charging infrastructure to leverage new customers into their premises.
It's no surprise at all- I am involved with Developers as a design chain lead, and there is a lot of sim interest - has been for 5+yrs now.
The thing that is changing, as link above evidences - on the investor side - is simply easier / wider options as to routes to roll-out such things embedded in the site dev infrastructure (for reasons this margin does not have space for). The obvious product of rapidly-developing industry experience.
It's all to the Good.
The thing that is changing, as link above evidences - on the investor side - is simply easier / wider options as to routes to roll-out such things embedded in the site dev infrastructure (for reasons this margin does not have space for). The obvious product of rapidly-developing industry experience.
It's all to the Good.
Edited by Huff on Thursday 16th December 23:35
Max_Torque said:
Expect to see much more of this sort of thing over the next couple of years:
https://365retail.co.uk/dobbies-garden-centres-rol...
ie destination charging, where private companies install charging infrastructure to leverage new customers into their premises.
Selling a commodity with a shop attached hoping that you cave in and buy higher margin products? Where have I heard that before https://365retail.co.uk/dobbies-garden-centres-rol...
ie destination charging, where private companies install charging infrastructure to leverage new customers into their premises.
It’s pathetic really, supermarkets use the same trick.
A 7kw charge delivers about £1 of electricity and 20-30 miles of range per hour. On a rational basis going out of your way to prefer that location over anywhere else purely on the benefit, much of which is wiped out several times over if you buy a single hot beverage, and with the possibility the chargers being in use so can’t be relied upon, just shows how dumb some people are.
But people will be dumb and these locations will exploit it until either everywhere does it or more likely the novelty wears off and the maintenance costs increase making it uneconomical. You’re already seeing it at retail outlets where they’ve introduced payment and now few bother to plug in.
A 7kw charge delivers about £1 of electricity and 20-30 miles of range per hour. On a rational basis going out of your way to prefer that location over anywhere else purely on the benefit, much of which is wiped out several times over if you buy a single hot beverage, and with the possibility the chargers being in use so can’t be relied upon, just shows how dumb some people are.
But people will be dumb and these locations will exploit it until either everywhere does it or more likely the novelty wears off and the maintenance costs increase making it uneconomical. You’re already seeing it at retail outlets where they’ve introduced payment and now few bother to plug in.
Agreed about 7kw destination charging. It was useful a few years ago when we all had 22kwh Zoes and Leafs. With a modern EV it’s pointless unless it’s an attraction where you’d plug in for several hours like a hotel or a theme park.
50kwh chargers are seen as slow now.
However, the press release suggests they are putting in banks of rapid chargers which makes much more sense.
This might lead to the reverse problem for the retailer - where you cut short your shopping/breakfast because etiquette demands you don’t block a rapid chargers when your car is filled above 80%
50kwh chargers are seen as slow now.
However, the press release suggests they are putting in banks of rapid chargers which makes much more sense.
This might lead to the reverse problem for the retailer - where you cut short your shopping/breakfast because etiquette demands you don’t block a rapid chargers when your car is filled above 80%
48k said:
Max_Torque said:
Expect to see much more of this sort of thing over the next couple of years:
Without wishing to be rude, but "no s
t Sherlock". This isn't news. Tesco et al already do it.This plan is to offer rapid charging hubs of 12 high-powered rapids at locations.
"This is a UK-first partnership between GRIDSERVE and a major garden centre retailer and will initially see 30 ‘Destination Electric Hubs’ installed in Dobbies’ car parks across the UK, from Aberdeen to Ashford, each containing up to 12 high power EV charge points with connectors that support all types of electric vehicles"
giveitfish said:
Agreed about 7kw destination charging. It was useful a few years ago when we all had 22kwh Zoes and Leafs. With a modern EV it’s pointless unless it’s an attraction where you’d plug in for several hours like a hotel or a theme park.
50kwh chargers are seen as slow now.
However, the press release suggests they are putting in banks of rapid chargers which makes much more sense.
This might lead to the reverse problem for the retailer - where you cut short your shopping/breakfast because etiquette demands you don’t block a rapid chargers when your car is filled above 80%
Yep, although where I’ve seen large banks of destination chargers they’re typically pay as you go and not used.50kwh chargers are seen as slow now.
However, the press release suggests they are putting in banks of rapid chargers which makes much more sense.
This might lead to the reverse problem for the retailer - where you cut short your shopping/breakfast because etiquette demands you don’t block a rapid chargers when your car is filled above 80%
Evanivitch said:
48k said:
Max_Torque said:
Expect to see much more of this sort of thing over the next couple of years:
Without wishing to be rude, but "no st Sherlock". This isn't news. Tesco et al already do it.This plan is to offer rapid charging hubs of 12 high-powered rapids at locations.
"This is a UK-first partnership between GRIDSERVE and a major garden centre retailer and will initially see 30 ‘Destination Electric Hubs’ installed in Dobbies’ car parks across the UK, from Aberdeen to Ashford, each containing up to 12 high power EV charge points with connectors that support all types of electric vehicles"
It's a customer retention technique to increase spend per head. It's nothing new.
48k said:
Um yes. It's exactly the same model. "Charge your car whilst you visit. What's that you say?... finished your shopping but your car still needs another 20 minutes to get a few more percent? Oh dear how terrible....why not avail yourself of our coffee shop whilst you wait" etc. etc.
It's a customer retention technique to increase spend per head. It's nothing new.
No one is waiting an extra 20 minutes to charge a car on a 7kW post It's a customer retention technique to increase spend per head. It's nothing new.
Have you used chargers?
Evanivitch said:
48k said:
Um yes. It's exactly the same model. "Charge your car whilst you visit. What's that you say?... finished your shopping but your car still needs another 20 minutes to get a few more percent? Oh dear how terrible....why not avail yourself of our coffee shop whilst you wait" etc. etc.
It's a customer retention technique to increase spend per head. It's nothing new.
No one is waiting an extra 20 minutes to charge a car on a 7kW post It's a customer retention technique to increase spend per head. It's nothing new.
Have you used chargers?
In the context of the OP, a customer with an EV might choose to shop at their local Dobbies rather than their local Wyvale because they can charge their car whilst they visit.
The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
48k said:
My local Tesco is a small superstore and has 6 charge points, 4 x 7kw and 2 x 50kW. They also sell petrol below the going rate. They also have an InPost parcel collection/drop off point. etc.
The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
And Morrisons has Genie Point, Sainsbury's has PodPoint, Asda has BP Polar, McDonald Instavolt etc etc. But to date all have been, with your example being a best case, relatively token efforts that don't make EV ownership without home-charging a practical option for many. The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
You start to provide more guaranteed access to rapids whilst people enjoy their leisure time and you change that.
As said, this is not new at all and businesses are and will be doing it everywhere. Especially destination locations. The ROI is good and people tend to either stay longer than normal to charge (and so buy more stuff) choose locations with EV chargers over those that don't.
it's almost like the (very) old days where there were petrol pumps all over the place.
it's almost like the (very) old days where there were petrol pumps all over the place.
Evanivitch said:
48k said:
My local Tesco is a small superstore and has 6 charge points, 4 x 7kw and 2 x 50kW. They also sell petrol below the going rate. They also have an InPost parcel collection/drop off point. etc.
The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
And Morrisons has Genie Point, Sainsbury's has PodPoint, Asda has BP Polar, McDonald Instavolt etc etc. But to date all have been, with your example being a best case, relatively token efforts that don't make EV ownership without home-charging a practical option for many. The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
You start to provide more guaranteed access to rapids whilst people enjoy their leisure time and you change that.
a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
This is not a new concept.
48k said:
Absolutely. But - do you think that retail outlets are provide these this facilities:
a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
Completely irrelevant to the discussion.a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
This isn't about retailers throwing a few token chargers in a car park, the point is that this is Gridserve teaming with a retailer to put an actual high power rapid charge hub on their premises. Which previously hasn't been seen beyond a couple of rapids here and there, or the occasional hub installed at a larger retail park.
Evanivitch said:
48k said:
Absolutely. But - do you think that retail outlets are provide these this facilities:
a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
Completely irrelevant to the discussion.a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
This isn't about retailers throwing a few token chargers in a car park, the point is that this is Gridserve teaming with a retailer to put an actual high power rapid charge hub on their premises. Which previously hasn't been seen beyond a couple of rapids here and there, or the occasional hub installed at a larger retail park.
It's completely relevant. It's literally the point I'm making. The retailer isn't teaming up with Gridserve for altruistic reasons. They want to attract customers. They want to give people a reason to come to them and not a competitor. Retailers have been doing this sort of thing for years.Several other posters have agreed with this point of view on the thread I'm not sure why you are persisting to argue. It feels like you are trolling so will leave you to it.
Evanivitch said:
48k said:
Absolutely. But - do you think that retail outlets are provide these this facilities:
a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
Completely irrelevant to the discussion.a) Out of the goodness of their hearts as a public service because they want to provide as many people as possible with the chance to own an EV
b) Because they want to increase footfall in to their stores and increase spend per head?
Clue: the answer isn't A.
This isn't about retailers throwing a few token chargers in a car park, the point is that this is Gridserve teaming with a retailer to put an actual high power rapid charge hub on their premises. Which previously hasn't been seen beyond a couple of rapids here and there, or the occasional hub installed at a larger retail park.
Edited by Heres Johnny on Friday 17th December 12:26
48k said:
My local Tesco is a small superstore and has 6 charge points, 4 x 7kw and 2 x 50kW. They also sell petrol below the going rate. They also have an InPost parcel collection/drop off point. etc.
In the context of the OP, a customer with an EV might choose to shop at their local Dobbies rather than their local Wyvale because they can charge their car whilst they visit.
The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
Exactly this, local Tesco smaller superstore, 4 * 7kw, 2 * 50kw, AND free, amazingly. We'd be going there anyway as it's the handiest store, next closest is Co-op, with 2 * 7kw, but only one parking place strangely, also free. But Co-op is due to close, so not sure where all their other stuff will go, Post Office, travel agent, coffee shop etc.In the context of the OP, a customer with an EV might choose to shop at their local Dobbies rather than their local Wyvale because they can charge their car whilst they visit.
The concept of retail outlets offering other services outside of their core business is all about attracting customers and increasing customer spend per head. It's nothing new.
Opens up the devil's advocate question, if could make other issues work in respect of BEV, with free fast charger close by at shop, ditto at office, the admitted convenience afforded by a home chargebox becomes even less important until EV numbers become so many that these outlets are always occupied.
48k said:
It's completely relevant. It's literally the point I'm making. The retailer isn't teaming up with Gridserve for altruistic reasons. They want to attract customers. They want to give people a reason to come to them and not a competitor. Retailers have been doing this sort of thing for years.Several other posters have agreed with this point of view on the thread I'm not sure why you are persisting to argue. It feels like you are trolling so will leave you to it.
I've highlighted that this partnership is different not because of the motivation, but because of the power and scale of what is being installed. Read. The. Thread.
So yes, maybe this will be the start of retailers like the supermarkets put some serious land allocation into installing rapid hubs on their premises.
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