A Better Way to Stop
A good charging stop doesn’t always need a new building. Sometimes, the ingredients are already there: a store people like, something good to eat, clean restrooms, and an operator who takes care of the property.
The opportunity is to bring fast charging into that setting and make the two work together.
That’s the idea behind ChargeVia by Rangeway, our charging format for existing retail, gas-station, and hospitality properties.
Start With the Place
My hospitality career taught me to look at a property from the perspective of the person arriving. Where do they go? What do they need? What will make their visit easier?
Those questions shaped Rangeway’s purpose-built destinations. They also apply to a charging stop at an existing business.
A driver might need a quick charge between appointments, a restroom break during a road trip, or a few minutes to pick up lunch before heading home. A well-chosen location can make charging part of something they already need to do.
ChargeVia is being developed around those everyday visits. Rangeway would develop and manage the charging operation, while the host continues doing what it does best: running its business and serving its customers. The layout and amenities need to make sense together, so drivers can comfortably use the property while their vehicles charge.
The Right Host Matters
We’re selective about where ChargeVia belongs. We look for locations that are easy to access, well maintained, and offer something useful during a charging stop, whether that’s clean restrooms, good food, or somewhere welcoming to take a break. Just as important is a host who shares our commitment to looking after the people who stop there. Available parking alone doesn’t make a property a fit for Rangeway.
That means looking beyond a list of amenities. Where are the restrooms? When are they available? Can someone get from their vehicle to the store easily? Is the property cared for?
The answers matter when choosing a charging location. They matter just as much after it opens.
A Different Setting, the Same Approach
Our Waystations, Basecamps, and Summits are purpose-built Rangeway destinations. ChargeVia allows us to bring our approach to properties where a full destination may not be appropriate, but where charging can fit naturally into an established business.
A ChargeVia location won’t necessarily have a dedicated driver’s lounge or the same amenities as a Basecamp. Each property will offer a different experience.
What should carry across is the attention given to the visit: dependable charging, a sensible layout, useful amenities, and a place that feels looked after.
For drivers, the goal is straightforward. Charging should fit into the stop, whether they want to grab a coffee, buy a meal, or simply take a break.
For hosts, it creates an opportunity to serve EV drivers without having to become a charging operator themselves. Rangeway’s role is to look after the charging business and work with the host on how it fits the property.
We’re already developing an initial ChargeVia project around a fresh approach to convenience retail, with food and beverages playing an important part in the charging experience. We look forward to sharing more as that project comes together.
Finding the Right Locations
We’re interested in talking with retailers, gas-station operators, hospitality businesses, and property owners who share that approach.
The starting point is the location and the people it serves. We want to understand why customers already stop there, what they can do while charging, and whether the property can support a good experience over time.
If your business shares that approach to looking after its guests, we’d like to hear from you at partners@rangeway.co.
