Albaby:"And I’m not even sure that gas stations are all that great a business, except for the oil companies that make the gas - pretty much they’re in the convenience store business, a brutally low margin line of trade. That becomes an even bigger part of the business, since there’s so little revenue on the fueling sid - the cost to fill up an EV “tank” is a fraction of the gas station equivalent. "
Most gas stations would close if it weren’t for the sales at the convenience stores. Beer, snacks, junk food, energy drinks, tobacco, LOTTERY TICKETS andlast minute needs for milk and bread, etc Only large stations along the main highways that have 20 pumps would make it selling gas, and even most of them have stores to keep them afloat.
Now, if people sit at the EV ‘pump’ for 5 times as long, buying less $$$$ worth of fuel, that makes a very tough business environment. They make about 20-25c/gal. So if you buy 10 gal, that’s $2.50. If you fill up with 15 gal, $3.75.
Now, if you only need ‘half as much’ fuel for your EV, unless they can charge you 50c/KWH for less KWH needed, (plus you can typically fast charge to only 80-85% of battery capacity), they won’t be making enough money. You’ll still buy the same cigarette pack, lottery tickets and energy drinks and junk food, maybe. But less people at the pumps as each takes 5 times longer.
I wonder if the EV network chargers will go the same way as the ethanol business where every refiner would up filing for bankruptcy even after billions of dollars of federal loans and subsidies and mandates?
t.