Transportation

Southern businesses see opportunity in EV charging

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July 14, 2026

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Electric vehicle charging is gaining momentum across the southern U.S. as restaurants, convenience stores and travel centers add chargers to attract customers during charging stops, according to a New York Times report.

Chicken chain Bojangles recently installed EV chargers at a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, joining businesses such as Buc-ee's in expanding charging access while creating new opportunities to increase food and beverage sales.

Bojangles plans to install 85 chargers at additional locations by early next year, according to the news outlet.

The expansion comes despite slower overall EV sales following the elimination of the federal tax credit for new electric vehicles. Industry data cited in the report show EV sales rebounded by 15% in the second quarter compared with the first quarter, while charging infrastructure continues to grow.

Georgia recorded a 29% year-over-year increase in charging ports, and Texas and Florida ranked among the nation's leaders in new charger installations. Mercedes-Benz said about two-thirds of its 900 high-powered U.S. chargers are located in southern states.

The south is also becoming a major EV manufacturing hub, with Hyundai producing electric vehicles and batteries near Savannah, Mercedes-Benz building electric SUVs in Alabama and BMW preparing to manufacture an electric X5 in South Carolina. Industry executives said expanding public charging infrastructure remains essential to increasing consumer confidence and supporting future EV adoption, particularly in regions where vehicle ownership continues to grow.