Public EV Charging for Retail: Level 2 vs. DC Fast Chargers
Updated April 2025
As retailers around the country look to attract the growing number of EV driving consumers, one of the first decisions to consider is whether to install Level 2 Charging (L2) or Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations. Even for tech savvy real estate professionals or seasoned facility managers, it can be an intimidating place to start. Both L2 and DCFC are critical for electrifying transportation but…for retailers looking to host EV chargers, there are some considerations that, in most cases, make fast charging a more attractive option for your business.
The key difference between L2 and DCFC is how fast each will charge an EV’s battery. L2 charging adds 10-20 miles per hour and can charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) to 80% from empty in about 4-8 hours. DCFC, on the other hand, can add 180-240 miles of range per hour, reaching 80% from empty in as little as 15-20 minutes (actual charging times will vary based on the charger kW rating and the vehicle’s charging capabilities).1
When deciding which level of charger to host at your property, the question becomes, “how long are vehicles usually parked in my parking lot?” This is known as dwell time, and if the dwell time of vehicles in your parking lot roughly lines up with the DCFC charging time of 20 minutes to about an hour at most, then DCFC can usually offer superior business advantages. Let’s look at some of those advantages:
Incremental Visits
While EV drivers are charging their cars, they’re likely to shop.
In a survey EVgo conducted at 500+ retail fast charging sites, EVgo found that 8 out of 10 of its customers like to shop while they charge and that they spend a good amount, about $42 on average, when they do shop (the survey group included many grocery retail locations). Similarly, independent studies indicate that deploying EV charging stations can lead to increased foot traffic and revenue in nearby locations.2
Some think of hosting EV chargers as an amenity that improves the shopping experience and helps to retain customers as more people adopt EVs. This is true, but EV fast chargers can also attract new customer traffic that otherwise would not occur. In other words, chargers can drive incremental visits to the host property and its surrounding stores.
Increase frequency of known customer’s visits
Let’s say a retailer installs L2 chargers at their store where customers spend 30 minutes shopping. In this case, an EV-driving customer parks outside of the store and uses the L2 charger, but in those 30 minutes they’ll only get around 10% state of charge added to their battery. That might be enough for that particular driver who didn't need a full charge, but the L2 station won’t be the reason a customer returns.
If the retailer hosts a DCFC and the customer shops for the same amount of time (30 minutes), the customer’s EV could be up to 80% charged once they’re done shopping. A near-full charge is a compelling reason for the customer to come back to the location – even if they don’t need to shop. And even if they don’t need to shop, there’s a good chance they will as they wait for their car to charge (remember 8 out of 10 customers like to shop while they charge).
Fast charger search can attract new potential customers
If an EV driver is in a new area, running short on time, and in need of a charge – they’ll search for a fast charger, not an L2. Drivers can look on the EVgo app, Google Maps, Apple Maps, PlugShare, or other map platforms to find DCFC options. With a fast charger installed on a retail property, the location will show up in the driver’s search. If that driver visits and starts a charge, there is a good chance they’ll want to pop into your store, too.
Quicker turnover means more visits
Fast chargers also allow for quicker turnover. In the case of incremental visits, a revolving door can be a good thing. Once the customer is done fast charging, which is again a matter of minutes and not hours, they will leave or move their car, freeing the charger for the next shopper. Now another customer sees that the charger is available on the property and they can now charge and shop. With an L2 charger, the customer must choose between keeping their car in the parking spot for a longer time to get a significant charge (slower turnover), or to leave with a minimal charge (not a compelling reason to return). 
Installation and Maintenance
Installing L2 chargers is a simpler process than installing DCFC because fast chargers involve more planning (e.g., utility coordination, construction, permitting, etc.). With EVgo’s owner-operator business model, we handle the entire installation process and absorb all the costs for the retailer. Because EVgo owns its chargers and its business runs on utilization, EVgo maintains the chargers and uses preventative maintenance strategies to keep chargers up and running for your customers.
Sustainability Impact
For businesses with sustainability goals, hosting EV charging equipment directly contributes to the fulfillment of those goals. DCFCs can charge an EV more than 10x faster than L2 chargers, resulting in more electric miles and less greenhouse gas emissions compared to gas-powered vehicles. By offering this amenity, retailers can expand their sustainability efforts beyond internal operations with little to no effort when partnered with an owner-operator like EVgo. 
Future Proofing (For Future Customer Retention)
EV drivers choose to shop based on several factors, but charging as an amenity is a big draw, especially for drivers who don’t have access to home charging and must rely on public stations.
The competitive advantage at this point in the EV adoption curve is a question of what kind of fast charger is on the property. Retailers installing fast chargers now want to be sure those chargers will stay relevant into the future – the chargers installed today must be future proofed to support future incremental visits.
With advances in battery technology and longer-range vehicles hitting the market, the most desirable public charging locations will be the ones with high-power chargers (i.e., 350kW) that can charge those large batteries in the shortest amount of time – think of the charging needs of all the new SUVs and electric trucks coming to market! This all means retail locations with high-power chargers will be sought out by this growing segment of EV drivers, while locations with lower-power options like L2 charging might not receive the same type of traffic from the chargers. 
Ownership (To Absorb Costs or Not)
If a retailer wants to own the chargers on its property, they’d likely choose an L2 because DCFC are expensive to procure and install. But they should be aware that along with the ownership of a charger comes the installation cost and operational costs – like higher electricity bills (especially with demand charges) and maintenance. To avoid these costs, retailers can partner with companies that own and operate the chargers – meaning they cover all associated costs. This lowers the barrier of entry to having DCFC on a retail property.
The Retail Advantage of DCFC
There’s no question that L2 chargers are incredible useful in homes, workplaces, hotels and community locations where people spend several hours. They’re also a huge asset for fleet vehicles that need overnight charging or have significant dwell times. However, for public retail locations or along highways, DCFC is a superior amenity and provides a greater positive impact to all parties involved – drivers and retailers.
Are you considering adding EV chargers to your retail property? Learn more about hosting EVgo fast chargers by visiting our Business Solutions page or fill out the form below to speak with one of our experts to see if your property would benefit from fast charging.
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The ideal host property for EVgo fast chargers provides:
24/7 Access to chargers
Space for electrical equipment
ADA accessibility (if applicable)
Ability to dedicate at least three parking stalls to EV fast charging
A convenient high traffic area with public access (grocery store, retail shopping center, gas station, parking lot/structure, or hotel)
1 https://www.transportation.gov/rural/ev/toolkit/ev-basics/charging-speeds
2 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/business/ev-chargers-store-parking-lots.html