Retail properties stand to benefit greatly from the growing number of electric vehicles on the road, a new post from the National Association of Realtors, points out, noting the synergy between electric charging stations and retail sales are similar to convenience stores' relationship to gas stations

"EV charging stations amount not only to an added convenience amenity allowing consumers to refuel as they shop, but they have the potential to increase footfalls and to promote shoppers lingering in projects and stores for longer periods of time," David Greensfelder, managing principal, Greensfelder Commercial Real Estate, tells GlobeSt.com. 

Whole Foods and Target were the first major retailers that provided EV chargers at their stores; success stories documented by NAR. "People who buy organic arugula are also the kind of people who are first to adopt electric cars. Come for the electrons, the thinking goes, and spend more time and money at the salad bar," according to Jonathan Levy, vice-president of EVGo, one of Whole Foods' charging providers. And although it does not have the same brand attributes as Whole Foods, Target as well points to the convenient shopping experience that these chargers offer.