Installing charging stations at your hotel, retail store, or residence is both essential and a significant investment that requires a clear return on investment. To make this worthwhile, you need a high frequency of use — from regular users and guests. But how can you ensure high usage and effectively encourage visitors to charge their EVs at your location?
One effective way is to offer €5, $5, or £5 gift vouchers to encourage EV driver guests to charge, shop, stay, or sleep at your location. This is now possible with the Saascharge Web QR Contactless Method, which was developed in 2021 and has since been upgraded to include a voucher feature. It has proven effective in guest parking scenarios.
“The key to making your network busy is to engage with consumers—that’s what gift vouchers can achieve.”
How does it work?
The voucher solution is based on the Web QR access method and the Pre-Pay portfolio allowing you to set the desired value of your vouchers. The process is simple:
- Create Gift Vouchers like €5, £10, or $20.
- Generate digital or printable voucher lists.
- Distribute vouchers to hotels, residences, or companies.
- Engage with EV drivers to enhance loyalty and increase usage.
The EV driver simply scans a QR code. They are directed to a webpage where they can enter the voucher code. Next, they add a payment method, such as a credit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
Costs and Benefits of Offering EV Charging Vouchers
An EV charging voucher represents a monetary value that can be factored into your charging prices. Typically, the voucher value accounts for 20% of an average charging transaction (e.g., a $5 voucher for a $25 transaction). While this might reduce your charging profit, the overall business benefits are substantial:
- Attract new customers: Draw EV drivers to your location and encourage them to shop, dine, or stay while their car charges. Charging can take hours, providing ample opportunity for them to engage with your business.
- Increase usage: Incentives encourage EV drivers to choose their location over others or charge at home.
- Enhance service offerings: EV charging is becoming a must-have amenity for hotels, shopping malls, and businesses, improving the overall customer experience.
- Boost customer loyalty: Offering vouchers shows appreciation for your customers, encouraging them to return.
Will Vouchers Discourage EV Drivers From Registering to Your Network?
Not at all. Gift vouchers can be offered to both guests and regular customers using, for example, a Smartphone app. Rather than discouraging registration, vouchers act as an incentive for EV drivers to join your network. Registered users shall benefit from better pricing and additional rewards, further encouraging loyalty.
What’s Next? Gift Vouchers as a Growth Enabler
Ultimately, the goal is to maximize usage of your charging stations. Gift vouchers help drive more transactions, in addition to regular EV driver activity (subscribers) and users coming via eRoaming agreements or payment terminals.
In summary, engaging with consumers through gift vouchers is a proven way to keep your charging network busy and profitable. Start today!