Charging hubs are infrastructure businesses with retail economics. Before you believe a payback promise, here is the same calculation we run with our customers — assumptions first, results second.
The site
One EMS-DC240 dual-gun charger at a shopping mall, 12 sessions per day average, 30 kWh per session, operator tariff $0.55/kWh, electricity cost $0.18/kWh, hardware + installation $48,000, O&M $2,400/year.
The math
| Line | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross revenue (360 sessions × 30 kWh × $0.55) | $5,940 | $71,280 |
| Electricity (× $0.18) | -$1,944 | -$23,328 |
| O&M, payment fees, platform | -$450 | -$5,400 |
| Net operating income | $3,546 | $42,552 |
| Payback on $48,000 | ~14 months | |
What breaks the model
- Utilization below 6 sessions/day → payback stretches past 3 years. Location beats hardware every time.
- Demand charges — where utilities bill peak power, a 240 kW unit can add hundreds per month. Load management or battery buffers fix this.
- Tariff wars — undercutting below ~$0.40/kWh usually converts the hub into a loss leader. Fine if intentional.
The operator's edge
Smart power sharing, time-of-day pricing and plug-and-charge convenience are what keep utilization — and revenue — high. Send us your site profile and we will run this model with your numbers before you buy.
