Electric vehicle technology is still relatively new, but its usage across the country has undoubtedly spread. Since the release of the Model S Tesla in 2012, the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) by the average consumer have been slowly increasing.
As of 2022, electric vehicle sales have tripled from 4% to 14% (International Energy 
Agency), and sales are expected to continue growing. Staying ahead of market trends means deciphering the fads from the flops. Sometimes, it is hard to tell which technological innovation fades away into obscurity and which tech changes the world as we know it. Electric vehicles are slowly gaining popularity worldwide as a result of a global push towards their adoption.
This could be an opportunity for boat and RV storage facility owners, whose business model is entrenched in the storage of watercraft and vehicles of all shapes and sizes. As emergent technology shapes the way people live, work, and travel, the ability to evolve your business model becomes more crucial.
Embrace the Change
Your best bet for keeping up with the market as time goes on is to embrace the inevitable changes that come along. As the culture shifts to more environmentally friendly transportation, so will business models. Stay updated on the evolving electric vehicle market and charging technologies. Notice the changes you see in your customer base and how your demographic is behaving. Be flexible in adapting your boat and RV storage facility’s offerings by installing charging stations equipped for EVs and updating your infrastructure as electric vehicle technology advances and adoption becomes more widespread.
Install Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Set up dedicated charging stations for EVs within your storage facility. This will facilitate more business through current customers by providing added amenities, as well as opening up different streams of revenue.
Since EV adoption is still on the rise, the biggest setback to nationwide EV usage is the lack of charging stations. Even as batteries become more efficient and updates to existing technologies are adjusted, there is more need for charging stations. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number of alternative fueling stations that have been constructed in the United States nearly doubled from 2020 to 2023. Even though there was a massive uptick in charging station locations, the demand for alternative fueling remains high. Let your facility stand out by being one of the few who can put their pin on a Google map when users search for nearby electric vehicle charging stations.
Upgrade Infrastructure
RV and boat storage facilities present a unique adaptation within the upgrades of an infrastructure. You have already mapped out your facility, designing it to accommodate bulky boats and lumbering RVs. It’s not the space that is the issue, but ensuring your facility’s electrical infrastructure can handle an increased demand for electric vehicle charging. If you have experienced a significant uptick in customer demand for alternative fueling stations, consider upgrading your power supply, solar supply options, and other systems to support multiple charging stations.
Offer Storage for Cars and Equipment
Your facility is the best place for your customers to store their big toys. Take things one step further by providing secure storage options for your tenants. Along with gas-powered engines, your facility is the perfect place for people to keep their electric vehicles in storage. The storage of EV charging cables and accessories ensures customers have a convenient and organized space for their charging needs.
Advertise EV-Friendly Features
Once you have taken the steps to implement changes to your facility for the storage and charging of electric vehicles, the next step is to promote these changes. Promote your facility as EV-friendly in marketing materials to attract electric vehicle owners. Update your website and social media platforms with photos and videos. Highlight the availability of charging stations at your facility to give you an edge over your competitors.
Looking Ahead: Electric RVs
With all this adaptation for electric vehicles, the question of electric recreational vehicles following suit in sustainability remains. Manufacturers are hindered by the sheer size and weight of RVs, so the widespread usage of electric RVs may still be further out in the future. That is not to say that the emergence of electric RVs is not on the horizon; manufacturers are circumventing current limitations of lithium-ion batteries by building electric RVs with solar panels.
While advancing machinery and software continually mold the globe, evolving your business approach ensures you are staying ahead of the curve. Environmental considerations are at the forefront of the electric vehicle industry, with the goal of advancing toward more sustainable means of transportation. With this in mind, positioning your boat and RV storage facility to embrace these changes will only bring about more benefits to you, your customers, and the environment.
The Storage Group has a team of experts specializing in the self-storage industry that offers digital marketing services as well as innovative software solutions. The Storage Group provides self-storage business owners with industry-leading marketing campaigns and online technology tools to improve their facilities’ online presence, drive higher conversion rates and increase revenue.
