As electric vehicles proliferate, some gas stations are making expensive overhauls to add EV charging stations.
In most cases, they aren’t scrapping traditional liquid fuel pumps. But select locations, including an RS Automotive in Takoma Park, Md., and a Shell station in Fulham, England, have made a full switch.
Location, cost, power requirements and conversion time are among the multiple considerations that factor into a gas station’s decision to convert all or a portion of their existing infrastructure to allow for EV charging.
“Figuring out how to do this on an active site can be complex and challenging,” said Neha Palmer, chief executive of TeraWatt Infrastructure, which is developing a network of electric vehicle charging centers for fleet operations across California, Arizona, and New Mexico. “How do you sequence the construction when you have vehicles that might want to fuel there?”
Here’s what gas station owners need to know about the EV charging trend and their future.
The EV fast-charging model
Locations like office complexes, hospitals and hotels typically offer a slower charging option, since people generally stay put for hours at a time. Gas stations, however, are investing in Level 3 chargers, which are more powerful and generally charge a car in 20 to 30 minutes.
While slower charging stations are often free to motorists, that’s not generally true for fast charging stations, given ongoing operational expenses such as electricity and extra fees charged by utilities in commercial settings, said Seth Cutler, chief operating officer of EV Connect, whose software tools help companies build charging station networks.
Big oil company franchisers and car dealers are on board
For large oil giants, adding EV chargers is both a defensive and offensive play.
Gas station numbers have been decreasing at a sharp rate in the past three decades and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years, according toShubhendra Anand, vice president of research and strategy at Market Research Future. In fact, at least a quarter of service stations globally are at risk of closure by 2035 without significant business model tweaks, according to consulting firm BCG.
The Biden administration has a stated goal of having 500,000 electric vehicle chargers nationally where EVs make up at least 50% of new car sales by 2030. By current administration estimates, there are more than three million EVs and more than 130,000 public chargers nationwide.
The European oil majors are among the energy sector leaders in the global EV charging push.
Shell has EV-charging-only mobility hubs in China and the Netherlands, in addition to the Fulham location. The company intends to own more than 70,000 public EV charge points worldwide by 2025, and 200,000 by 2030, according to an email statement from Barbara Stoyko, senior vice president of mobility for Shell Americas.
BP also sees the need for mixed-use hybrid refueling and EV charging stations, according to Sujay Sharma, chief executive of BP’s electric vehicle charging business in the U.S. “Today’s gas stations are well positioned to adopt EV charging due to locations in high-demand areas, in addition to their existing convenience offerings including restrooms, food and beverage,” Sharma stated in an email.
As of late last year, 65% of Ford’s dealers had opted into the EV certification program (a little under 2,000, according to data shared by Ford), as it has started to make the role of car dealers central to the EV transition process.
The National Automobile Dealers Association said in a May release that franchise owners will spend an estimated $5.5 billion on EV infrastructure across OEM brands, with per store costs ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million.
Upfront costs can be jaw-dropping, incentives help
Adding EV charging capabilities is not a one-two decision that owners should take lightly. Indeed, the return on investment could be seven to 10 years on average, according to an estimate provided by Yair Nechmad, co-founder and chief executive of Nayax, a global commerce enablement and payments platform, which offers its services to gas stations.
The hardware and software for fast charging can run between $50,000 for one charger and $500,000 for multiple fast chargers and dispensers, said Michael Hughes, chief revenue officer of ChargePoint Holdings, a technology company that makes EV charging hardware and software to help drivers find local charging stations and amenities. The infrastructure, meanwhile, which includes the cost of breaking ground, running power, permits and contractors, generally costs about twice that, he said.
That makes it advisable to incur all the infrastructure changes upfront, even if a gas station only intends to make a few chargers available at the onset, said Rohan Puri, chief executive of Stable Auto Corporation, which helps make charging stations more profitable for companies that own and operate them. His advice: “Put in as much power as you think you’re going to need in 10 years.”
There are numerous federal, state and utility-based incentives for commercial businesses to purchase and install fast chargers. This includes the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration NEVI Formula Program, which provides generous funding to states to strategically deploy EV charging stations.
Gas station owners can search for information on incentive programs they may qualify for.
Location is a key factor, gas station franchise concerns
Even with incentives, there can be barriers to entry, location being a major factor. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 80 percent of EV charging happens at home, which makes adding EV charging less appealing for in-town gas stations, Hughes said. Local gas stations also don’t generally have amenities to keep people entertained while they are charging their vehicles.
Real estate can also be prohibitive. A traditional gas station may have two islands with four pumps each for liquid fuel; the same utilization rate would require about 40 charging stations, Hughes said.
By contrast, gas stations along major highways between highly traveled destinations can be ideal for electric charging hubs. These locations tend to have multiple amenities, offering people the opportunity to grab a cup of coffee, get a quick bite to eat, stretch their legs or walk the dog while they charge their vehicle, Hughes said.
Convenience stores like Sheetz, Wawa, Royal Farms and Buc-ee’s that double as gas station operators are also starting to add electric chargers at certain locations, said Albert Gore, executive director of The Zero Emission Transportation Association, a federal coalition that advocates for EVs, and who is a former Tesla and SolarCity executive. It can’t be “a place that you’re just going to run in and buy a Snickers,” Gore said.
While there can be a first-mover advantage for gas stations, some owners, like Blake Smith, founder of SQRL Holdings, a gas station and convenience store operator, are taking it slow. His company operates more than 150 convenience store gas station locations and offers electric charging in select locations in Florida. By contrast, the company hasn’t installed any EV charges in Arkansas, where it has more than 60 stations.
“I would never recoup my investment,” he said, adding that a move to all electric charging could be decades away. “We’re not flipping a switch to where gas vehicles are getting off the road and it will be EV-only.”
The Mercedes GLB EV will be here in less than a month. With its debut just around the corner, Mercedes offered a first look at the new GLB EV’s interior, and yes, it’s loaded with massive screens.
First look at the new Mercedes GLB EV interior
Mercedes is putting the new electric GLB through the paces at the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Singlefingen, Germany, ahead of its world premiere on December 8.
The testing is conducted in wind tunnels that range in temperature from -40 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, snow cannons shoot various types of snow while high-powered fans generate winds up to 124 mph, simulating fierce blizzard conditions.
Although it’s covered in snow, you can still see that the new EV version maintains a similar boxy design to the current gas-powered GLB.
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If you look a little closer, it appears to have a larger grille design, like the new GLC EV, which Mercedes said “redefines” the face of the brand.
Mercedes also unveiled the new GLB EV’s interior for the first time, which looks pretty similar to the GLC’s. The optional floating MBUX Superscreen is the highlight, extending the entire width of the dash.
The new Mercedes GLB EV during cold-weather testing (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
It also features Mercedes’ new multifunction steering wheel, which reintroduces a rocker switch for the cruise control.
Another new feature is the concave door handle design, which features a floating center panel that opens a storage space. The center console has a similar design, offering an optional wireless charging cradle and cup holders.
The interior of the new Mercedes GLB EV (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes said the new SUV offers “noticeably more headroom for first and second row occupants” compared to its predecessor. It will offer standard seating for five, with the option to add a third row for seven.
According to Mercedes, the new GLB takes “interior climate comfort” to the next level. For example, the climate control heats up twice as fast as its predecessor during a 20-minute drive at 19 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercedes said that since it only requires half the energy of the current GLB, it helps maximize range.
We will learn more about the Mercedes GLB EV on December 8. Check back soon for updates.
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Save hundreds in early Black Friday/Singles’ Day savings on Segway EVs to upgrade your commute, starting from $150
Segway has officially kicked off its early Black Friday Sale that will also coincide with Singles’ Day, giving lone riders a great opportunity at hundreds in savings on the brand’s select lineup of e-scooters and accessories. One such notable deal is the E2 Pro Electric Scooter that is dropping to $379.99 shipped, and also matching at Amazon. While it carries a $600 MSRP direct from the brand’s website, you’ll more often find it posted up at $500 in full over at Amazon, with most of the discounts we’ve seen over 2025 having kept costs above $400, save for the few drops to $330 we saw earlier in the year. During these early holiday promotions, you can score it at the second-best price we have tracked, giving you $120 off the going rate and $220 off the MSRP. Head below to browse the full lineup of Segway’s early Black Friday deals.
A great commuter for folks who don’t want to shell out too much money, but still want one of the more premium brands supporting them through travels around town, the Segway E2 Pro electric scooter has you covered for up to 21.7 miles on a single charge, thanks to the 275Wh battery. That battery runs the 750W motor and rear-wheel drive system, with enough power to handle up to 18% inclines while giving you top speeds of 15.5 MPH.
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One notable inclusion here is the Apple Find My integration for greater security, allowing you to keep track of your scooter and hunt it down in case of theft, which has been needed for such models that utilize push-button starts without keys. Your riding experience will also benefit from the front and rear turn signals, anti-skid traction control, 10-inch air-leakage-proof tubeless tires, 2.8-inch integrated LED dashboard for setting adjustments, and more.
Score up to $1,082 in exclusive savings on nine refurbished Anker SOLIX units at new lows starting from $112
We’ve secured a collection of nine exclusive deals on refurbished Anker SOLIX power stations and solar panels from Welbots, which provide up to $1,082 in total savings and even give our readers some new low prices on these units. The largest of these deals is on the Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station down at $1,597.07 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5RBANK6 for an additional 6% savings. The deal on this renewed unit starts with a drop from $2,679 to $1,699, and the exclusive code cuts another $102 off the tag. Last month, we secured similar deals that only took costs down to $1,709, with that rate beaten here by the combined 40% markdown that lands it lower than ever to the best new price we have tracked.
Jackery’s new Explorer 240D 256Wh compact power station returns to $139 low for Singles’ Day, more from $176
By way of its official Amazon storefront, Jackery is offering its new Explorer 240D Portable Power Station at $138.99 shipped, beating out the brand’s direct website pricing by $70. This new model hit the market at the tail end of September with a full $209 price tag, with its initial launch deals to this rate holding on through Prime Day, before keeping above $149 with discounts in the time since. Today’s deal brings you another opportunity to jump on it at the best price we have tracked, saving you $70 in the process. You’ll also find a few bundle options available at discounted rates, too, like the station with a 40W mini solar panel at its lowest rate of $217.54 shipped.
Worx’s 40V 14-inch cordless mower with adaptable Intellicut feature at new $129 low for Singles’ Day
Amazon is now offering the best price yet on the Worx 40V 14-inch 2-in-1 Cordless intellicut Lawn Mower with two 4.0Ah batteries for $129 shipped during Singles’ Day, which has been going strong for us for 2.5 years now, and currently beats out the brand’s direct website pricing by $61. It may carry a $300 MSRP direct from Worx, but at Amazon we’ve been seeing it down at $220 and more recently $199 for long stretches, with discounts having taken things as low as $165 this year. While this deal continues, you’re looking at a total $171 off the MSRP that lands it lower than ever for the best price we have tracked in its history, making it quite the Singles’ Day steal for homeowners and renters who need a means to keep their lawns maintained without running up a significant bill.
Amazon is offering the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit with two 5.0Ah batteries at $729 shipped, which matches the price we’re seeing from Home Depot. It’s coming down from $1,049 here, and beats out all the discounts we’ve seen during 2025 from Amazon, which mostly kept costs above $815, except for the one-time and short-lived drop to $799. While we have seen it only beaten by the $649 low in the past, you’re still looking at the best price of the last few years, with $320 cut from the tag for the second-best overall price that we have tracked at Amazon.
Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $326 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,325)
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $449 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $899 (Reg. $1,413)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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We’re now two months out from the end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30, and there are still solid deals to be had on some pretty spiffy EVs. In fact, three of our top five November specials are cheaper than what was offered in September, and two come with home EV chargers and free installation. Here are November’s top 5 EV lease deals, as spotted by our friends at CarsDirect.
Photo: Hyundai
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 lease from $189/month
The updated 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range is still a standout EV lease deal, holding steady even after the end of the federal EV tax credit and new import tariffs. Through December 1, you can lease one for $189 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing. That works out to an effective monthly cost of about $300.
The price bump is far smaller than many expected, especially considering Hyundai’s $17,000 in lease cash. And if you’re tempted by an upgrade, the SEL RWD trim is just $50 more per month under the same terms. You’ll get a model that’s roughly $7,000 more in value and $18,750 in savings. The IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range offers an EPA-estimated 245 miles of range, and this particular offer is available in the Los Angeles and greater California metro areas.
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 SE RWD Standard Range is tied with the IONIQ 5 for the most affordable EV lease deal this month, offering standout value even after the federal EV tax credit era. In the California metro area, you can lease it for $189 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing, and Hyundai is sweetening the deal with $13,000 in lease cash.
That brings the effective monthly cost to around $300. With an EPA-estimated 240 miles of range, 149 horsepower, fast-charging capabilities, and a sleek, distinctive design, the IONIQ 6 remains a fan favorite. This offer is valid through December 1.
The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD with Package 100A is offering bigger savings this month, making it an even stronger pick for EV shoppers. Known for its premium design and an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range, the Mach-E remains a favorite among drivers who want style and substance.
You can now lease it for $219 per month for 24 months (10,500 miles per year), with a down payment of $4,499 due at signing. That’s $20 less per month than the September advertised deal, although the term is shorter. With an effective monthly cost of around $406, it’s only $45 more than before the tax credit ended.
The offer includes $6,750 in lease cash for qualified lessees, plus a free Ford Charging Station Pro with complimentary home installation – a rare perk. If you already have a home charger, you can opt for an additional $2,000 in bonus cash instead. This deal is currently available in California through January 5, 2026.
Until January 5, the 2025 Honda Prologue, with a 308-mile range, can be leased for $239 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles) and $1,199 due at signing in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland. That means the Prologue has an effective monthly cost of $272, making it a great value.
For those in California and other CARB-emission states, you can lease for $279 for 36 months (10,000 miles) and $1,299 due at signing, resulting in an effective monthly cost of $315. This was the best-priced lease deal before the new East Coast three-state offer.
The price includes a $3,300 loyalty discount or conquest cash, available only to those currently leasing a Honda or planning to switch from another manufacturer in select states. If you aren’t living in California, Florida, New York, or other select states, you’re still eligible for a bonus of $2,000.
These bonuses are stackable with the $5,000 dealer cash, $8,250 Honda lease cash, and a $1,500 additional lease bonus, which replaces the $7,500 tax credit.
You can now lease a 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4×4 Super Crew XLT w/ Pkg 311A for a low monthly payment of $279 for 36 months (10,500 miles) and $6,729 due at signing. With an MSRP of $65,190, that makes the effective monthly cost of $466. It has an EPA-estimated range of 240 miles and 452 hp.
That’s $23 less a month than the advertised September lease deal with the federal tax credit. The offer includes $9,500 in lease cash and, like the Mach-e, a complimentary home EV charger and installation or an additional $2,000 in savings. This offer is available in California through January 5, 2026.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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