Electric vehicles are taking over the streets, and that means drivers are looking for more places to charge. The rapid rise in EVs is creating an opportunity for those willing to learn the tricks of the trade. See how you can invest in EV charging stations and play a role in the future of transportation.
Why Invest in EV charging stations
If you are noticing more electric vehicles on your daily commute, it’s not just you. Battery electric vehicle sales hit another record in the second quarter of 2022, rising to 196,788 as overall new vehicle sales slumped 20%.
The electric vehicle share in the US rose to 5.6% compared to 2.7% in the second quarter of 2021. Automakers are introducing new EVs to the market with more range, superior technology, and zero emissions giving drivers a reason to make the switch.
According to information from the PEW Research Center, 42% of Americans say they would consider purchasing an electric vehicle. The survey was taken before the historic climate bill passed, giving new incentives to buy an EV. What’s more interesting is the breakdown by age group.
18-29: 55%
30-49: 47%
50-64: 34%
65+: 31%
Moreover, over half of them live in urban areas. Although it is true most EV owners charge at night, a growing number of people living in cities rent. A new study from Harvard shows overall rental vacancy is at its lowest since the mid-1980s.
Source: NMHC tabulations of 2020 American Community Survey microdata, US Census Bureau. Updated 7/2022
Younger generations are those more likely to be renters, and many apartment complexes don’t have EV charging stations installed yet. Nearly 50% of people under the age of 30 rent, while 10% of those ages 65+ do.
Where EV charging stations are located now
Electric vehicles are expected to account for the majority of vehicles on the road by 2030. However, the most common reason Americans (58%) say they would not purchase an EV is because they fear it will not give them enough range.
Although much is being done to alleviate this fear, there is an opportunity for businesses to participate while contributing to the future of transportation (and earning an extra profit).
The Biden Administration has rolled $5 billion in funding over the next five years through the NEVI program to build a national network of EV charging stations.
Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, is working to build a fast charging network across North America.
Automakers like Tesla are also building their own Supercharging network to enable their drivers the freedom to go anywhere. Meanwhile, many of the people in the category above (younger drivers looking to purchase EVs) are looking for more convenient options on their daily routes.
For business owners, this presents an opportunity. And for those that don’t own a business but still want to get involved, there are ways for you to invest in EV charging stations.
EV chargers at Walmart Source: Walmart
How to invest in EV charging stations
To give EV drivers more options, you can install chargers at your business. In particular, if customers stay for more extended periods of time, it may be worth considering. For example, a quick stop (under five minutes) may not be worth it, but it’s a different story for restaurants, entertainment venues, bars, clubs, malls, small businesses, and even workplaces.
Installing EV charging stations is an investment in your business. As electric vehicles continue gaining market share, having convenient charging options can help drive traffic with increased visibility.
Many popular digital map services (like Google Maps) now offer solutions to find charging stations, while others like Plugshare are specifically designed to locate them.
That being said, having electric vehicle charging options available can drive business. There are over $2 billion in utility-provided rebates and $60 million in government grants to help you get started (see what incentives are in your state here). Companies like ChargePoint make it easy with different charging options and valuable tools to help you manage data.
What about those that don’t own a business
If you don’t own a business and still want to invest in EV charging stations, you can always opt to own a piece of one of the companies listed above. For example, buying stock in companies like Tesla (TSLA) or ChargePoint (CHPT) can give you exposure to the expected massive growth in electric vehicles and its supporting factors over the next several years.
To gain exposure to the entire electric vehicle market, an ETF like KraneShares Electric Vehicles & Future Mobility ETF (KARS) has holdings in companies like Tesla, ChargePoint, Nio (NIO), Albemarle (ALB), BYD, Rivian (RIVN), Lucid (LCID), Aptiv (APTV) and more.
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Hyundai officially launched the new IONIQ 6 N in its home market this week. The IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai’s first electric sports sedan, packs a monstrous 650 horsepower, yet Hyundai insists it’s not all about the performance.
Hyundai’s first EV sports sedan hits Korea: The IONIQ 6 N
After unveiling the IONIQ 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, Hyundai promised the electric sports car “redefines the EV driving experience” with new vehicle control software, fun features, and plenty of power.
The IONIQ 6 N is Hyundai’s first EV sports sedan and second electric vehicle to receive the “N” treatment. Hyundai’s first, the IONIQ 5 N, has been one of the most awarded high-performance electric SUVs since its debut in 2023.
With the addition of the new IONIQ 6, Hyundai said its N brand is “once again redefining the boundaries of high-performance electrification.”
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Hyundai launched the IONIQ 6 N sports sedan in Korea on October 1, with prices starting at just 79.9 million won. That’s about $57,000 and doesn’t include government subsidies.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N launches in South Korea (Source: Hyundai)
Drawing power from a dual-motor AWD powertrain, Hyundai’s EV sports sedan delivers up to 609 horsepower (448 kW) and 740 Nm of torque.
However, if you really want to feel the power, there’s an added N Grin Boost function that bumps the output to 650 horsepower (478 kW) and 770 Nm of torque, enabling a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) sprint in just 3.2 seconds.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
The IONIQ 6 N features an 84 kWh battery, good for 291 miles (469 km) WLTP range, but Hyundai fine-tuned it to optimize efficiency, power output, and temperature control.
With a new electronically controlled suspension (ECS), front Hydro G bushings, and rear dual-layer type bushings, the EV sports car offers “precise body control.” Like the IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai has added performance features such as N e-Shift, which simulates the sensation of shifting gears, and the N Active Sound + system, which replicates the sounds of a gas-powered engine.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
Although it packs a punch, Hyundai said the electric sports sedan is designed for both the track and as a daily driver.
“Hyundai Motor Company’s first high-performance sedan EV, the IONIQ 6 N, offers a comfortable ride during everyday driving and predictable performance,” a company official said.
Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
At 4,935 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,495 mm tall, the IONIQ 6 N is about the size of the Porsche Taycan, but it’s about half the cost.
Following its home market, Hyundai will launch the IONIQ 6 N in Europe by the end of the year and in the US in early 2026. We will learn prices closer to launch, but given the IONIQ 5 N starts at $66,200, it’s expected to arrive at a slightly lower price.
Hyundai announced the 2026 IONIQ 5 will start at under $35,000 in the US after cutting prices across all trims. It also plans to continue offering the $7,500 federal tax credit on 2025 models. The IONIQ 6 could be next in line.
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The $7,500 tax credit may be gone, but that isn’t stopping BMW. The Ultimate Deal Machine is rolling into the Brave New World of EVs this October with a $7,500 purchase credit off MSRP across the board (and that’s just the beginning).
The sitting administration killed off the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit abruptly after September 30th, leading many casual industry watchers to proclaim that the age of the great EV deal was over. And, while many argued that view was too cynical, it turns out it wasn’t too cynical enough with OEMs like Ford and GM turning to tricky accounting and others like Hyundai simply cutting prices to keep demand for its EVs high.
German performance brand BMW is also getting in the mix, offering a “$7,500 purchase credit off MSRP” across its electric and electrified vehicle lineup. And, while it may sound like a 1:1 sort of replacement for the Federal tax credit, there’s a few significant reasons to believe that this deal might actually be better than the one that went away.
Everyone gets the money
Electric vehicle offers; via BMW website.
The EV tax credit was (advertised as) a great tool to help people overcome the higher up-front cost of EVs, but vehicles with starting price tags over $80,000 and income caps at $150,000 for individual filers meant that many Americans who were interested in a new EV were never benefitting to begin with. At the same time, Americans who didn’t have a $7,500 tax burden may have wondered how or if the tax credit would work for them.
If that take isn’t quite cynical enough, consider this: the rebate probably convinced more OEMs to artificially jack up the prices of their US-bound EVs by $7,500 (give or take) than it did to reduce any supposed barriers to entry.
If you drive an electric vehicle, make charging at home fast, safe, and convenient with a Level 2 charger installed by Qmerit.As the nation’s most trusted EV charger installation network, Qmerit connects you with licensed, background-checked electricians who specialize in EV charging. You’ll get a quick online estimate, upfront pricing, and installation backed by Qmerit’s nationwide quality guarantee. Their pros follow the highest safety standards so you can plug in at home with total peace of mind.
Urban Arrow, a Dutch brand best known for its front-loading cargo box bikes (or bakfiets), has just expanded into new territory with the launch of the Urban Arrow Breeze, the company’s first-ever longtail electric cargo bike. In addition to bringing a new form factor to the brand, it also offers a more affordable price.
Long recognized for their high-quality electric family and commercial cargo bikes that feature massive front boxes, Urban Arrow is now jumping into the more compact and versatile longtail category, putting them head-to-head with several of the biggest longtail cargo bike competitors. And true to form, they’re not cutting corners, just complications.
Longtail cargo bikes are generally more streamlined to produce due to simpler steering and more conventional frames, allowing the Breeze to look and feel more like a typical urban bike, while still offering plenty of cargo goodness.
The Breeze is designed to carry serious loads without taking up as much space. With a wheelbase comparable to a standard city bike, the Breeze can still handle up to two child seats on the rear rack while keeping a nimble footprint. Total carrying capacity tops out at 200 kg (440 lb), and the rear rack is fully MIK-compatible, allowing for fast, tool-free swaps of baskets, bags, and child seats. Both the front and rear racks are included with the bike.
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Powering the Breeze is the Bosch Cargo Line motor, a popular choice among heavy-hauling e-bikes thanks to its torque-rich, low-speed performance. Riders can choose from 400 Wh up to 800 Wh of battery capacity via the online configurator. The front end features a beefy Suntour Mobie 34 suspension fork, and the bike rolls on 26” wheels with wide tires for extra comfort and stability.
Priced at €5,499 in Europe, the Breeze undercuts Urban Arrow’s other pricier models, yet still offers family vehicle performance. The model also comes standard with a double kickstand for easy loading, and Urban Arrow is offering a wide range of accessories at launch, including everything from panniers and cushions to protective side rails.
Available now in black or green, the Urban Arrow Breeze marks a significant step for a brand that helped define the modern e-cargo bike, and now looks ready to expand its offering by showing what an Urban Arrow longtail can do.
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