Florida’s EV Charging Reality Check: Growth Slows, But the Opportunity Isn’t Gone
By Paul Rutledge, Senior Contributor — Extended Reach Florida
As Florida races toward an electrified future, the buzz around electric vehicle charging stations is beginning to fade. What was once viewed as the next great opportunity for convenience stores and commercial property owners has run into a stark reality: demand isn’t meeting expectations — at least not yet.
A recent industry roundtable reported by C-Store Dive revealed that national retailers such as Sheetz, Nouria, and Parker’s Kitchen are rethinking their charging strategies. Despite early enthusiasm and significant investment, their executives agree that profitability remains elusive.
“The business case isn’t there quite honestly,” said Joe Hamza, COO of Nouria, which operates more than 300 stores across the Eastern U.S. “We spent a lot of resources and money doing so, but we’re not getting the return right now.”
Florida’s convenience chains and commercial developers are seeing similar headwinds. Although the Sunshine State ranks among the top five states for EV registrations, the state’s charging utilization per site is still inconsistent — with many chargers sitting idle during most hours of the day.
🚗 Why EV Charging Stations Are Missing Their Mark
Several factors are contributing to the slowdown:
- Overestimated Demand
Consumer adoption hasn’t climbed as quickly as forecasted. While EV sales continue to grow, many Florida drivers remain cautious due to high upfront costs, limited range for road trips, and a still-developing resale market. - Home Charging Dominance
As Nouria’s Hamza pointed out, more consumers are opting to charge their vehicles overnight at home. For urban apartment dwellers and renters, public charging remains vital — but suburban homeowners (Florida’s majority demographic) are less likely to rely on c-stores or gas stations for top-ups. - Uneven Site Performance
Sheetz reported wide variances between high-traffic and low-traffic charging locations. The same is true in Florida, where high-density corridors like I-4 and I-75 show consistent usage, while smaller towns see chargers used only a handful of times per day. - Shrinking Incentives and Rising Costs
The initial build-out was fueled by federal and state grants, plus partnerships with charging companies such as Tesla and Electrify America. As those incentives taper off, installation costs rise — especially for sites requiring electrical infrastructure upgrades or long-term grid commitments.
🌴 Florida’s EV Market at a Crossroads
Florida has one of the fastest-growing EV populations in the country, with over 240,000 registered electric vehicles as of late 2025. Yet only about 4,500 public charging stations exist statewide — and the majority are Level 2 chargers, which take several hours for a full charge.
Urban markets such as Tampa, Orlando, and Miami are seeing more rapid charger deployment, thanks to tourism, rideshare demand, and growing EV fleets. However, smaller communities — including those in Manatee, Charlotte, and Citrus Counties — are falling behind.
The state’s infrastructure plan, boosted by NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) funding, calls for 700 new fast-charging sites by 2027. But many private operators, including Florida-based c-store chains and commercial landlords, remain cautious about ROI.
💡 Opportunities Ahead: Learning From the Slowdown
Despite the cooling enthusiasm, there are reasons for optimism:
- Strategic Co-Location: Integrating chargers with dining, retail, or entertainment venues could turn “dwell time” into real revenue. EV drivers spend 20–40 minutes on-site — long enough to justify café partnerships or small retail hubs.
- Fleet and Logistics Charging: Florida’s logistics corridors (I-75, I-95, I-4) are ripe for commercial fleet electrification. Fleets need predictable, high-power charging — a niche private developers can serve.
- Grid Partnerships: Collaborating with utilities like Florida Power & Light (FPL) or Duke Energy on managed charging programs could offset installation and energy costs.
- Tourism Integration: Resorts, coastal towns, and marinas could install chargers to attract eco-conscious travelers, providing a differentiated amenity.
For investors or property owners interested in how infrastructure trends like EV charging are reshaping Florida’s retail landscape, LQCRE’s current listings showcase commercial properties positioned near high-growth corridors and major travel routes.
👉 See all of LQCRE’s recent listings at Extended Reach Florida – Commercial Real Estate Listings.
⚙️ The 2026 Outlook
Industry leaders such as Joe Sheetz remain pragmatic:
“We’re staying in the game to learn from it,” he said. “We want to react quickly if something does gain momentum again.”
That approach may define Florida’s EV charging landscape going into 2026 — a period of cautious investment, strategic learning, and selective expansion rather than a gold rush.
The early wave of installations proved one thing: hardware alone isn’t the solution. The next phase will require smarter placement, grid collaboration, and customer-centric design.
