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Comment by oceanplexian | Hacker News Reader

It's pretty simple why. The reason these chargers exist is to capture government subsidies, not because enough people actually want them for them to be financially viable. Once the vendors get their check from the taxpayers there's literally no reason for them to provide any more than the bare minimum level of support.

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> It's pretty simple why. The reason these chargers exist is to capture government subsidies, not because enough people actually want them for them to be financially viable. Once the vendors get their check from the taxpayers there's literally no reason for them to provide any more than the bare minimum level of support.

Completely agreed. Tesla is the only one operating them commercially in practice. They probably are cash flow positive, and even if not, are a loss leader to sell cars.

EV DCFC can be commercially viable though considering 1) the markup on electric is HUGE compared to gas (possibly 2x) and 2) they have a captive customer stuck 5x as long as a gas buyer, to spend $$ in their convenience store (where they actually make all their money)

The problem is the current companies are trying to do standalone stalls in others parking lots. I think we will eventually see some gas station chains bring out an offering, but there needs to be demand first.

Something like 90%+ of EVs on the road in US are still Tesla, so CCS has always been a niche within a niche here.

>not because enough people actually want them for them to be financially viable.

But there are enough people, they are packed.

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