How Riders Can Pitch Charging Stations to Local Convenience Stores (Step-by-Step Outreach Template)

Cut costs, secure parking and charge up: how riders' groups can pitch charging or battery-swap kiosks to local convenience stores

Hook: If you and your fellow riders are fed up with dead batteries, scarce parking and expensive home upgrades, you can solve it locally—by turning convenience stores into micro-hubs with chargers or battery-swap stations. In 2026, growing store networks (Asda Express now has 500+ locations) and rising micromobility use make this a realistic, fundable local project.

Why convenience stores are the best first targets in 2026

Convenience stores are high-footfall, small-footprint retail sites that already manage deliveries, quick stops and evening traffic. Recent retail expansion—Asda Express and similar chains added dozens of sites through late 2025 and early 2026—means many thumbs-on-the-ground locations exist that can host compact charging infrastructure with minimal disruption.

• Footfall & visibility: stores bring customers; chargers create return visits.
• Existing amenities: lighting, CCTV and staff presence reduce perceived risk.
• Complementary revenue: charging can increase in-store dwell time and secondary spend.
• Small scale fits store footprints: Level 2 chargers or battery-swap kiosks occupy compact spaces.

What to prepare before outreach: a quick site proposal checklist

Bring facts. A concise site proposal is the difference between “we’ll think about it” and “let’s meet.” Use this checklist to assemble a credible packet.

1. Riders' group overview: membership numbers, typical arrival times, average dwell time.
2. Use-case data: number of rides per day/week, likely charge cycles, peak hours.
3. Suggested equipment: AC Level 2 chargers, or battery-swap kiosk (specify brand/model range).
4. Site specifics: available parking bays, electrical feed access, lighting, CCTV coverage.
5. Cost estimate: ballpark installation, hardware, ongoing maintenance and payment processing costs.
6. Revenue & funding plan: grants, subscription fees, revenue-share, advertising or local sponsorships.
7. Safety & operations: insurance, fire-suppression basics, signage and staff training outline.
8. Timeline & next steps: pilot duration, review points and contact details.

Step-by-step outreach plan (practical, repeatable)

Use this 8-step framework as a project plan a riders' group leader can follow.

1. Map & prioritise — Identify convenience stores within a 2–5 km radius of dense rider pockets. Prioritise stores with evening footfall, visible curb space, and existing EV infrastructure (even one slow charger shows openness).
2. Collect local data — Run a 2-week rider survey: arrival times, average battery percentage on arrival, how many would use on-site swapping/charging. 50-100 responses gives clout.
3. Create a one-page site proposal — Use the checklist above. Keep it visual: a site photo, a map pin, simple cost/revenue bullets and two clear asks (meeting + permission to present to regional operations).
4. Initial contact — Email the store manager with a short pitch (samples below). Follow label: manager → area manager → landlord (if leasehold) → regional operations.
5. Offer a pilot — Propose a 3–6 month pilot with minimal capex: a rented Level 2 charger or a modular swap locker rented monthly, plus rider group promotion to guarantee baseline use.
6. Propose cost-sharing — Present funding options (grants + riders + revenue share). Store should see net benefit from extra footfall and marginal revenue.
7. Site visit & sign-off — Bring an electrician, a basic risk assessment and a simple operations checklist. Get a signed interim agreement outlining responsibilities.
8. Run pilot & report — After pilot, deliver a short KPI report: sessions, revenue, incremental store sales and rider feedback. Use results to negotiate long-term installation.

Sample outreach emails

Use these templates as-is or personalise them. Keep every message short, specific and action-oriented.

Initial email to store manager

Subject: Quick idea: free footfall + charging for electric mopeds at [Store Name]

Hi [Manager Name],

We're [Group Name], a local riders' group with ~[N] active electric moped riders who pass by [Store Name] daily. We have a quick proposal that could bring repeat customers during your quieter hours: a small EV charging bay or battery-swap kiosk using one underused parking spot.

We’ll bring a 2–3 month pilot plan, recruit riders to use the facility, and share simple performance data so you can see the value. Can we meet for 20 minutes on-site next week? I can bring a one-page site proposal.

Thanks,
[Name] — [Role], [Group Name]
[Phone] | [Email]

Follow-up to area/regional operations (if needed)

Subject: Proposal: micro-hub charging pilot at [Store Name] — partnership opportunity

Hello [Ops Name],

I’m reaching on behalf of [Group Name]. We’ve identified [Store Name] as an ideal micro-hub for e-moped charging or battery-swap services. Attached is a one-page pilot proposal (costs, warranties, rider commitment and KPI targets). Early-stage funding can come from local grants + rider subscriptions.

A 3-month pilot could demonstrate increased evening footfall and incremental store sales. Would you be open to a brief call to explore operational constraints and landlord permissions?

Best,
[Name]
[Phone]

Cost and equipment estimates (2026 ballpark)

Costs vary with region and power upgrade needs. These are 2026 estimated ranges to use when drafting proposals—always get two local quotes.

• AC Level 2 charger (single point) + installation: £1,000–£4,000. Fast installs if a single-phase feed is available.
• DC fast charger (for mopeds that support it): £15,000–£40,000+ (rarely necessary for mopeds).
• Modular battery-swap kiosk (plug-and-play units): £20,000–£80,000 depending on capacity and brand—consider rental/lease.
• Electrical upgrade (transformer, trenching): £2,000–£20,000 for moderate work; more if streetworks are needed.
• Payment & network fees: 5–15% of transaction value depending on provider or a fixed monthly fee.

Tip: In 2026, many vendors offer subscription or revenue-share models—leverage those to reduce upfront capital needs.

Cost-sharing and funding ideas

Mix several streams to make the business case compelling:

• Local grants & low-carbon funds: city or mayoral green transport funds expanded in 2025; check local councils.
• Riders' micro-funding: a small deposit or monthly subscription from committed riders guarantees base revenue and demonstrates community buy-in.
• Store co-investment: the store funds minimal capex in return for a share of revenue or exclusive ad placement inside the store.
• Vendor lease-to-own: many charger or swap kiosk vendors rent units monthly, reducing upfront pain.
• Corporate sponsors: local businesses or fleet operators may sponsor a kiosk for branding and employee benefits.
• Advertising & cross-promotions: in-store discounts for riders who charge, branded charging bays, or QR codes linking to store offers.

Safety and compliance checklist (must-do items)

Safety sells the idea to store operators. Present this checklist early to show you’ve thought it through.

• Electrical safety certificate: PAT, local building control sign-off and a certified electrician for connection.
• Fire & battery safety: clear signage about charging/swap procedures, a small fire extinguisher suitable for electrical fires, and an emergency cut-off.
• CCTV & lighting: maintain or upgrade for 24/7 monitoring where chargers are accessible after hours.
• Insurance: update store liability and check that the vendor has equipment insurance and public liability cover.
• Signage & markings: bay markings, charging etiquette signs, maximum dwell times, and contact details for faults.
• Staff training: a 30–60 minute induction on swap operation, fault reporting and basic safety.
• Data & privacy: if you collect payments or user data, confirm GDPR/local data protection compliance.

Operations: who does what

Clarify responsibilities in writing before installation. Typical splits look like this:

• Store: provide space, existing lighting/CCTV; handle front-line customer questions.
• Riders' group: recruit pilot users, promote the facility, collect initial feedback & help enforce etiquette.
• Vendor: supply hardware, remote monitoring, maintenance SLA and software for payments.
• Electrician/installer: perform certified install and hand over a safety file.

Measurement: KPIs that win renewals

For the store and landlords, keep KPIs simple and commercial-focused:

• Number of charging/swap sessions per week
• Incremental store transactions during session windows
• Average session revenue (charging + shop spend)
• Repeat user percentage
• Downtime & number of service calls

Real-world case framing you can use in pitches

"A three-month pilot with guaranteed rider commitments converts hesitant store partners. Show them footfall numbers, revenue uplifts and a short operations plan — and you'll reduce perceived risk."

This approach proved effective in multiple micro-hub pilots across European cities in 2025–2026: small, well-measured pilots convert into chained roll-outs because operators can see direct store benefits.

Common objections and how to answer them

• Objection: "It’s too risky / too expensive." Answer: Offer a low-capex pilot using leased hardware with a revenue-share and present local grant options.
• Objection: "We don’t have power capacity." Answer: Suggest battery-swap (lower instantaneous draw) or a soft-start charger, and include a local electrician for a free initial feasibility check.
• Objection: "Security concerns." Answer: Point to existing CCTV and propose modest upgrades paid from pilot budget; include clear signage and time-limited parking.

Sample site proposal — 1 page outline (use in attachments)

1. Project title: [Store Name] e-moped micro-hub pilot (3 months)
2. Objective: increase evening footfall, provide rider service, create new revenue line
3. Proposal: 1x Level 2 charger / 1x swap kiosk in 1 bay (site photo with marked bay)
4. Funding: vendor lease + rider subscriptions + possible local grant (we will apply)
5. KPI: 40+ sessions/month, 10% increase in evening transactions
6. Risk mitigation: vendor SLA, CCTV, staff training, fire safety kit
7. Next step: 20-minute site visit and sign simple pilot agreement

Advanced strategy: micro-hub cluster model

Once one store succeeds, create a nearby cluster (2–5 stores) as a micro-hub network. Benefits include shared marketing, bulk procurement discounts, and a unified payment/pass that riders prefer. In 2026, networked micro-hubs are attractive for advertisers and municipal funding bodies because they demonstrate repeatable impact.

Final practical takeaways

• Start small: a single leased Level 2 charger or a compact swap locker is the easiest ask.
• Bring data: rider survey numbers and a 1-page proposal win meetings.
• Mix funding: grants + riders + vendor leasing reduces store risk.
• Prioritise safety: electrical certificates, CCTV and simple staff training are non-negotiable.
• Measure and report: simple KPIs convert pilots into long-term installs.

Next steps — a 30-day action plan

1. Week 1: Map 5 target stores and run a 7–10 day rider survey.
2. Week 2: Draft 1-page proposals for top 2 stores; get a vendor contact for ballpark costs.
3. Week 3: Email store managers and request 20-minute site visits; prepare sample pilot agreement.
4. Week 4: Run site visits, secure one pilot, and publicise the pilot to riders to lock initial commitment.

Call to action

If you lead a riders' group, download this plan, customise the one-page proposal and send the sample email to your top target this week. Small pilots scale fast in 2026—especially where convenience operators like Asda Express are expanding their footprint. Need help customising your proposal or reviewing vendor quotes? Contact our local mobility advisors to get a free review of your one-page proposal and cost estimates.

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