4 ms·
> as long as they are profitable Which will be a big part of the problem. Gas stations aren't profitable. The convenience store with $6 bags of chips next to i
by mike_d 2y ago
> as long as they are profitable
Which will be a big part of the problem. Gas stations aren't profitable. The convenience store with $6 bags of chips next to it is.
We also learned in the early 2000s with the "datacenter in a shipping container that can go anywhere" fad that highly dense power isn't available in most places. As EV charging chains try to scale externalize costs onto the grid we will just end up subsidizing corporate profits.
- Animats 2y agoMcKinsey claims charging stations can be.[1] That was written before 10 minute charging looked possible. If charge times get down to 10 minutes, a gas station model works. Hour-long charging requires something for the humans to do. [1] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/ev-fast-charging-how-to-build-and-sustain-competitive-differentiation https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/...
- mike_d 2y agoSorry I should say gas stations are profitable standing alone. Once two gas stations exist it is a race to the fixed price floor (all stations buy from the same distributors in the same way all charging stations will buy from the same grid). There is no brand loyalty or product differentiation. McKinsey also thought it was a good idea to produce a report for the Saudi government that brought their attention to Jamal Khashoggi, ultimately leading to his murder.