POV
You’re halfway into your first EV road trip, and that damn range anxiety starts to kick in. You've seen the horror stories of lonely supermarket chargers that rarely ever work. And even if it did, the last thing you need right now is to spend an hour in the car with three restless kids in the backseat while you recharge. But what if your next charging stop was even better than a gas station or a random supermarket? What if you kind of actually looked forward to it?
Welcome to the next iteration of EV charging—something that's a bit more similar to an airport lounge than it is to a pit stop under a street lamp. Electric vehicle stations are getting a serious upgrade—one that comes with Wi-Fi, comfy seating, and creative hospitality, like a trail mix bar. Charging companies and automakers are betting big on making the charging experience something you’ll actually look forward to instead of dread.
Take Rivian’s recharging lounge outside Yosemite. Instead of staring at your battery gauge, you can sip free coffee and plan your next hike. Meanwhile, Electrify America has opened a sleek, 20-charger station in San Francisco, complete with climate-controlled lounges and baby-changing stations. It’s like an EV version of Buc-ee’s, where the bathroom quality alone makes it worth the stop.
And it’s not just EV drivers benefiting from these lounges—retailers are getting in on the action too. A recent study found that installing EV chargers can boost land value by up to 5% and increase foot traffic to nearby businesses by two to three times. For retail spaces, this means more customers hanging around and more sales while drivers wait for their cars to charge. It’s a win-win for both property owners and EV drivers.
As EV charging stations evolve into more than just a place to plug in, they’re helping redefine the electric vehicle experience. No longer an inconvenience, charging becomes a moment to relax, recharge, and maybe even enjoy the journey a little more. Whether it’s a trail mix bar at Rivian’s outpost or a quick stop at Electrify America’s sleek lounges, the future of charging is shaping up to be one of comfort and convenience. It’s a reminder that technological adoptionisn’t just about technical innovation—it’s about social innovation too, shaping how we connect with our surroundings and each other on the road.
