Retailers across the country may be able to capitalize on the “going green” movement in new exciting ways. With the booming Electric Vehicle market many malls and shopping centers have been exploring new techniques to bring customers into their facilities. With the booming of electric vehicle sales, the hopes of stores may have an income producing program which everybody benefits from. An idea sitaution is to build a solar power roof over the parking lots of many of these malls and produce the electricity to recharge the EV. Electric vehicles typically need about 20 – 30 minutes to recharge their batteries to about 70%. This is plenty of time for shoppers to walk inside and take a look or grab a cup of coffee. The federal government has allocated over $300 million dollars to install public recharging stations to help inspire retail business. The solar panels can provide electric for cars and advertisement space.

Here is a list of retailers that are already using EV charging stations to attract consumers.

Simon Property Group- Officially holding the most shopping mall in the United States, they have agreed to install a major EV charging center in its 250 store mall in Orlando Florida and another center in Palo Alto, California

Simon Property Group- Officially holding the most shopping mall in the United States, they have agreed to install a major EV charging center in its 250 store mall in Orlando Florida and another center in Palo Alto, California.

Macy’s- Soon Six of the Macy’s department stores will be giving an extra opportunity to charge up their vehicles. An agreement was made with Ecotality to build the additions but the locations have yet to be publicized.

Best Buy- This appliance store giant is being more creative with its recharging stations. They will offer customers a set fee of probably $79 a month for unlimited access to recharging. A brilliant concept to have customers returning frequently with spare time to shop.

Bellevue Shopping Centers- Located in Seattle, they have designed plans to place 15 new charging station in sections of their parking lots.

Fred Meyers Supermarkets- This Seattle food chain will be adding 7 new charging stations in Seattle and Portland stores.

As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, retailers are hoping to profit from charging station installations by pitching both the ability to recharge while you shop and the convenience of having prime parking spaces reserved for people with electric vehicles.

Learn more about Electric Vehicles. Stop by Roni Farbes’s site where you can find out all about Electric Vehicles and what it can do for you.