As the world continues our rapid push toward a greener and more environmentally friendly future, the importance of electric vehicles (EVs) and therefore robust EV charging infrastructure have become paramount. With the global EV market seeing exponential growth, governments around the world are likewise pushing for ambitious targets to increase EV usage for the purpose of meeting carbon emission goals. This steadfast development has made EV investment an exciting opportunity. Installing EV chargers at your commercial or municipal property means that not only are you aligning with the urgent need to fight climate change, but it is also a highly lucrative prospect for forward-thinking investors. This article will talk about the investment process and how to make it easy for you to take advantage of this important opportunity.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of EV’s on the road surpassed 10 million in 2020, and is expected to reach 30 million worldwide by 2025. However, there is one important factor as to why there won’t be even more EV’s on the road at that time, and that is the fear of not enough driving range. In fact, 47% of Americans say that it’s not likely they would buy an EV as their next car. Out of those responders, 80% listed lack of infrastructure as the reason why. Without enough charging infrastructure, there is the risk of running out of charge on a long road trip, which is too big of a risk for many. Moreover, a growing number of people are renting apartments in urban areas rather than owning a home. In fact, overall rental vacancy is at its lowest since the 1980s. Nearly 50% of people under the age of 30 rent, while 10% of those ages 65+ do.
The alleviation of the hesitation, therefore, is for more infrastructure to be adopted at apartment complexes and beyond. These figures demonstrate the immense growth potential, meaning that new charging stations at your commercial or public property would see immediate usage from many people.
There are multiple ways to reap the advantages of the fast-growing EV charger market, and not all of them involve direct investment into your own charger network. However, this option is often the most profitable. Direct investment is when you take on the responsibility of identifying suitable locations, installing the equipment, and managing the day-to-day operations. Often, the revenue opportunity is highly worth the up-front capital investment and maintenance responsibilities. Another option is through a partnership with a charging network provider. This basically means that you take part ownership in an already existing charging network. Investors can benefit from the companies’ expertise, support, and access to a larger customer base. It can be a simple way to earn nice profits without the need for significant time and capital investment. The final option is through the purchasing of stocks and funds. This approach involves purchasing shares of the charging companies. There are also exchange-traded funds (ETFs) specifically focused on clean energy, which often include EV charging infrastructure as part of their portfolio. As you can see, there are many ways to get involved in the exciting world of EV charging, each with its own opportunities for profit and personal involvement.
Though EV charger infrastructure is an exciting investment to make, it is still important to get your ducks in a row before setting sail. Financial planning plays a key role in developing a plan for you or your organization. First, always determine your investment budget. This should factor in any capital considerations as well as estimated returns. It also involves not just the equipment purchase but the installation costs, electricity costs, and maintenance costs as well. Labor and time will stack up down the road, which makes it important to consider every opportunity for more dollars to be required on your end. All of this is to say that the ROI is the number one thing to keep in mind when deciding to invest in EV charging infrastructure. When taking the route of stock or fund investment, it can be even more important to plan out your financials because it is often less guaranteed that you will see returns upon making the investment. Although the industry as a whole is booming, you may run into some bad luck if you put all of your eggs into the basket of one company that ends up getting swallowed by the competition.
From selecting a brand to work with, to selecting a site, to ensuring a smooth process legally and with installation & maintenance, the importance of partnership and networking cannot be overstated. By working with local authorities, for example, regulations and permits can be handled with ease, and you may also learn about local and federal EV tax benefits. You will also streamline the process of obtaining appropriate insurance coverage, identifying potential risks, and learning about security measures to counteract some of those risks. Seeking partnerships with automakers, fleet operators, and other stakeholders can also be a huge benefit as it allows you to engage with experts about your personal needs and the evolving market as a whole. Additionally, industry associations and trade shows offer excellent networking opportunities to meet even more like-minded people and learn more about the latest trends and opportunities in the EV market. In any new endeavor that requires up-to-date knowledge and decision-making, collaboration and partnership are paramount if you want to see continued success.
If you choose to take the route of investing in electric vehicle stocks, there are a collection of heavy hitters to choose from. Tesla Inc. (TSLA) is undoubtedly the frontrunner in the industry, manufacturing both electric vehicles and operating its own charging network, the Tesla Supercharger. ChargePoint Holdings Inc. (CHPT) is another prominent player, offering a comprehensive charging network and solutions for commercial and residential use. Blink Charging Co. (BLNK) is known for its expansive charging network in parking facilities as well as commercial and residential, which is one of the quickest-growing uses for EV chargers. Other popular, similar stocks include EVBox Group (TPGY) and Siemens AG (SIEGY). All of these companies, along with other popular investments in the EV charging sectors, offer lucrative opportunities for investors looking to participate in the phenomenon without purchasing chargers themselves.
In conclusion, investing in EV charging stations and EV stocks presents a promising opportunity, but it is important to know how the best steps for getting involved. Financial planning, partnership and collaboration, and understanding the reasons why people are for and against driving EV’s are all important to keep in mind. As more people invest, not only do we accelerate even more toward a greener future with fewer carbon emissions, but the hesitation about purchasing an EV goes away for most people, as more EV chargers eliminate the fear about driving long distances in an EV. By investing strategically and leveraging partnerships, anybody can participate in the growth of this exciting new industry and help save the world at the same time.
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