Will EV chargers come to service stations?

Absolutely.

Traditional fuel retailers such as Shell, BP and Caltex (soon to be rebranded Ampol in Australia) have been exploring ways to remain relevant in the long term in a world that will inevitably switch to predominantly electric propulsion (yes, it’ll be a long journey…).

That involves positioning themselves more as energy suppliers – be it petrol, hydrogen, electricity or others – rather than simply petrol stations. It also means exploring opportunites for EV charging.

Many, including Caltex, are trialing electric car charging stations at selected sites in Australia.

As with the broader EV industry, it’ll likely be a slow burn, with more stations upgrading as demand increases.

Read our article on the battle over service station EV charging.

The emphasis will also likely be on regional areas to start with, making use of the proximity of existing service stations to major routes. Those locations also cater to the demand for fast charging; most people will charge their EV at home, but when they head out on a big drive they’re more likely to need fast charging.

In cities and suburban areas charging options are more plentiful and it’s more likely people would choose to charge at a shopping centre over a service station. Or, obviously, at home.

It’s for that reason Australia’s largest EV charging network, Chargefox, is focusing on locations people would prefer to spend time at.

“They’ll be at the shopping centre they go to so they can go and charge while they watch a movie or do their grocery shopping,” says Chargefox CEO Marty Andrews.

“Wherever you park your car and leave it for a while is an opportunity for a car charger.”

Norway is one of the most progressive countries for electrified vehicles, with electric cars regularly the top sellers and often accounting for more than half of overall sales.

Norway has charging stations in shopping centres and at the airport; there is an entire floor devoted to EV charging at Oslo airport.

Most service stations in Norway also have an area dedicated to EV charging, virtually eliminating range anxiety.