I was looking through YouTube for article ideas and came across an interesting take by an RV dealer. Was he mocking EVs? No. Was he suggesting people don’t get them? Again, no. Instead, he made it clear that the industry he works in and analyzes is going to have to adapt and change.
The good news? Most local gas stations don’t make much selling gas. This may sound weird and unlikely, but talking to some gas station owners, they’ve explained that it’s much like the movie industry. They often make only single-digit pennies of profit per gallon, but that’s not their bread and butter. The gas is there to attract people, while the convenience store is where most of the money comes from.
My suggestions is that, at minimum, the convenience store has a few seats and a microwave to heat up frozen foods. But, having a small restaurant or some other hot foot ready to go would be a lot better. Clean bathrooms , a reasonably-priced ATM, and maybe a small lounge area would be fantastic. At the bottom end, convenience stores that resemble something like QuikTrip are probably going to be the future. Better stations that resemble truck stops will be even better.
Another change he mentions that’s coming is autonomy. If manufacturers can solve autonomous vehicles, RVs might start driving themselves. People, seated comfortably inside, could do whatever they want while the RV is en route to the destination. The inside and the outside will both change if that happens.
With the usa feds building a huge network of fast DC charging. Why should private enterprise even get involved. Is a bev owner willing to pay $1 per kwh. If that means bathroom on hand and road trip food to be had also. Comfort and convenience isn't cheap.