EV Charging Station Route
Own the chargers parked on someone else's property — drivers pay you while the car sits
Bottom line
Strong cash-flow candidate with manageable operations.
EV charging route operators own and manage a portfolio of Level 2 charging stations installed at apartment complexes, office parks, retail centers, hotels, and parking garages. The host property provides the electricity and the parking space; the operator owns the hardware, manages billing, and collects charging revenue. A route of 50 Level 2 ports charging $0.25–$0.40 per kWh at 2–3 sessions per day generates $120K–$220K in annual revenue. The business model mirrors vending machine routes: low-touch, asset-backed, scalable by adding hardware. EV adoption has grown steadily since 2022, with the infrastructure gap most acute in multi-family housing where residents can't charge at home.
Avg Revenue
$180K
Profit Margin
42%
Acquisition Multiple
2.5x - 4.5x
Startup Cost
$15K - $120K
How It Works
The operator negotiates host agreements with property owners (apartment complexes, offices, retail) for the right to install chargers on-site in exchange for a revenue share (5–15%) or flat monthly fee. Level 2 chargers ($800–$2,500 each) are installed by a licensed electrician and connected to a networked management platform (ChargePoint, EVCS, or Blink). The platform handles driver authentication, billing, and session reporting. Revenue is collected per-kWh or per-session from drivers; electricity costs are either passed through directly or reimbursed to the host at retail rate. The operator services and repairs units on a route cycle. NEVI grants and utility rebates can offset 30–75% of installation costs on qualifying sites.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Watch / verify
EV Charging Station Route has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Category-level fit before lender-specific diligence.
Weak source data caps the final score.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 42% estimated margin profile
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
- !No category model yet
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 447190 · Other Gasoline Stations
Deal Size Distribution
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | WA | $1.5M | $1.8M |
| Aug 2021 | OR | $1.6M | $1.8M |
| Jul 2021 | FL | $4.9M | $5.8M |
| Jul 2020 | MN | $1.0M | $1.2M |
| Nov 2019 | CA | $1.0M | $1.2M |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Asset-backed, passive income: once installed, chargers generate revenue around the clock with minimal labor
- +Federal NEVI grants and utility rebates significantly reduce initial capital requirements
- +Multi-family housing has a structural shortage of EV charging — demand is locked in as EV adoption grows
- +Recurring revenue from the same drivers who charge at the same location regularly
Cons
- -Revenue per port is modest at low utilization — returns depend heavily on site selection and traffic
- -Equipment downtime frustrates drivers and triggers complaints to property managers, risking host relationship
- -Electrical infrastructure upgrades at some properties add unexpected installation costs
Best For
Patient, capital-efficient operators who want a growing passive income route with strong asset backing and federal incentives reducing the startup burden
Operating Costs
At $180K revenue (50 ports): electricity reimbursement to hosts 25–30%, platform/network fees 8–12%, equipment maintenance and replacement 6–10%, insurance 3–4%. Net margin improves significantly above 70% port utilization.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Search for route businesses including EV charging and vending machine operations
DOE database of charging stations — useful for identifying coverage gaps in target markets
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $450K–$810K
Buyer's Toolkit
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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