How about charging your car as you're charging the latest sales? Retail behemoth Simon has discovered that shoppers who plug in their cars stay an average of 50% longer than your usual shopper, given the time it takes to fully power up the vehicle—a boon for retail tenants, according to VP of operational efficiency Ron Hanson. (If only it were so easy to get a decent charge on our iPhone.)
Installing EV charging stations is a national initiative for the firm, and Ron says it hopes to expand the program to as many centers as it can (right now, there are 126 stations over 65 shopping centers in 16 states). It most recently partnered with provider NRG eVgo to install some at four of Simon's OC shopping centers: The Shops at Mission Viejo, Brea Mall, Westminster Mall, and The Outlets at Orange.
