As gas prices rise, more people are starting to purchase electric vehicles. The demand for EV charging stations has increased and some companies are taking advantage of that need. The number of EV charging stations in the U.S. are going up and some stores are opening them in their parking lots.
California has the most EV charging stations of any U.S. state with 1,276 of them. With 200 EV charging stations added in April alone across the states, there are now a total of 5,865 public stations. You might say, “Where are all these charging stations?” Well, municipalities and power companies are adding some here and there. You will most likely see these as carports with the ability to charge electric vehicles. Many times they are solar powered 
carports that generate their own power for charging vehicles and energy for the town.
However, most of the charging stations come from private companies who are installing them at their businesses. Major corporations see the need for EV charging stations as an opportunity to lure more consumers to their stores. Walgreens, for instance, is the most prolific public charging station installer in the country with 364 units. They are far ahead of the second place company, Kohl’s, who have 57 charging stations. More and more companies are getting into the EV charging station game, with Kroger announcing that they will install around 225 stations along the west coast.
It makes sense that companies would do this because by providing low-cost or free electricity for shoppers with EVs is a very tempting incentive. The popularity of EVs has increased tremendously over the past 5 years, so if you have not seen any charging stations in your town yet, you should soon!
