Saudi Arabia's EV sector is growing fast, driven by Vision 2030 and the global shift to sustainability. As more EVs reach Saudi roads, demand for charging grows, especially at shopping malls and commercial complexes, where people stay for hours.
For mall owners and real estate developers, EV charging stations are a real investment opportunity. They earn direct revenue and keep customers in the mall longer, where they spend more.
This article explains why malls should install charging stations, which revenue models are available, how to calculate return on investment, and the practical steps for implementation.
Why should commercial malls install charging stations?
These are the main reasons charging stations make sense for any commercial mall in the Kingdom:
1. Attracting a new and growing customer segment
EV owners look for places that offer charging. When your mall offers it, it becomes a preferred destination for this growing group of shoppers, who typically have higher purchasing power.
2. Increasing customer dwell time
Charging an EV takes from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the charger. During that time, customers browse shops and restaurants, so they buy more.
3. Higher property value
Malls with modern EV chargers get higher property valuations. Charging stations show that the mall keeps up with new technology, which attracts tenants and major brands.
4. Meeting sustainability goals
Sustainability matters more in the Kingdom each year under Vision 2030. Charging stations support the mall's green building certification and set it apart from malls without them.
5. An additional revenue stream
Charging stations can be a direct source of income from the fees users pay. They also bring indirect revenue through more visitors and more spending inside the mall.
Revenue models for commercial charging stations
Mall owners can choose the revenue model that best fits their goals:
Model one: pay per use
The user pays for each charging session, per kWh or per minute. It is the most common and simplest model. Prices can cover the electricity cost plus a reasonable profit margin.
Model two: monthly subscriptions
Regular customers pay a monthly subscription for discounted charging or a set number of sessions. The mall gets steady monthly revenue and repeat visits.
Model three: free charging as an added service
Some malls offer charging free or at a nominal price to attract customers. This model earns no charging revenue. The return comes from more visitors who stay longer and spend more.
Model four: partnership with an external operator
A specialist operator installs, runs and maintains the stations and shares the revenue with the mall owner. The owner takes on less financial and operational risk.
Charger types suitable for commercial malls
The right charger type depends on the kind of mall and how long customers are expected to stay:
AC chargers, 7 to 22 kW
Suitable for malls where customers spend two hours or more. They cost relatively little and need simple wiring, so a mall can install many of them across a large parking lot.
DC fast chargers, 50 to 150 kW
Best for customers who need a quick charge during a short visit. They charge a vehicle from 10% to 80% in 30 to 45 minutes. They cost more, but they attract more users and earn more per session.
Ultra-fast DC chargers, 150 to 360 kW
The best choice for malls on or near highways. They charge a vehicle in 15 to 25 minutes. They need heavy-duty wiring and dedicated transformers, but they earn the most revenue and attract long-distance travelers.
Our recommendation: For a large mall, install 6 to 10 AC chargers at 22 kW for charging while shopping, plus 2 to 4 DC fast chargers at 60 to 120 kW for customers who need a quick charge. This mix serves both long shopping visits and short stops.
Return on investment analysis
Let's calculate the ROI for a commercial mall installing 8 AC chargers at 22 kW and 2 DC chargers at 60 kW:
Initial installation costs
- 8 AC chargers x 6,000 SAR = 48,000 SAR
- 2 DC chargers x 120,000 SAR = 240,000 SAR
- Electrical wiring and installation = 60,000 SAR, an estimate
- Total investment: 348,000 SAR
Expected monthly revenue
- AC chargers: 8 chargers x 4 sessions per day x 15 kWh x 0.80 SAR x 30 days = 11,520 SAR
- DC chargers: 2 chargers x 6 sessions per day x 30 kWh x 1.20 SAR x 30 days = 12,960 SAR
- Total monthly revenue: 24,480 SAR
Monthly operating costs
- Electricity at the commercial tariff of 0.32 SAR: about 6,300 SAR
- Maintenance and operation: approximately 2,000 SAR
- Total monthly costs: 8,300 SAR
Net monthly profit
24,480 - 8,300 = 16,180 SAR per month
Payback period: 348,000 / 16,180 = approximately 21.5 months, under two years, before counting the indirect revenue from higher customer spending in the mall.
Steps for installing charging stations in commercial malls
With a specialized company such as Climatech Charger, installation goes through these phases:
- Feasibility study and initial assessment: Analyzing mall traffic, the share of EVs and the available electrical capacity, and choosing the best charger locations in the parking area.
- Engineering design: Preparing the electrical and structural drawings, determining the types and number of chargers, and calculating the required electrical loads.
- Obtaining permits: Submitting applications for the required permits from the relevant authorities, including the electricity company and the municipality.
- Preparing the infrastructure: Running the main electrical cables, installing transformers if needed, and preparing the charger bases and flooring.
- Charger installation: Mounting the chargers and connecting them to the electrical grid, along with installing remote management and monitoring systems.
- Testing and commissioning: Testing every charger, connecting electronic payment systems, and training the operations team.
- Launch and marketing: Announcing the new charging service through the appropriate marketing channels to attract EV owners.
Successful case studies in Saudi Arabia
Several organizations in the Kingdom have started installing charging stations at their commercial sites, with positive results:
- Major commercial malls in Riyadh and Jeddah: They have set aside parking bays with AC and DC chargers and have seen more visits from EV owners and longer average visits.
- Luxury hotel chains: They have added chargers to guest parking as a premium service, which has raised guest satisfaction and ratings.
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities: They have installed chargers for staff and visitors, which has improved the work environment and helped attract talent.
- Banks and financial institutions: They have installed chargers at their main branches as part of their sustainability and customer service programs.
Government incentives for commercial charging stations
The Saudi government supports the shift to electric vehicles through several initiatives and incentives:
- Streamlined permitting: Simplifying the procedures for obtaining permits to install charging stations at commercial sites.
- Electric vehicle infrastructure strategy: The Kingdom plans thousands of charging stations nationwide by 2030 and encourages the private sector to take part.
- New building requirements: New regulations are moving toward requiring new commercial projects to reserve a share of their parking for EV charging.
- Renewable energy support: Charging stations can be linked to solar power systems to reduce operating costs and benefit from renewable energy support programs.
Looking ahead: As EV numbers grow, charging will move from a competitive edge to a basic requirement for every mall. Malls that install chargers now will have them in place before that happens.
Choosing the right partner for installation and operation
The technical partner you choose decides much of a charging project's success. When comparing installation companies, check for the following:
- Experience with commercial projects: Malls differ from homes. They have high electrical loads, many chargers and management systems to run.
- End-to-end solutions: Covering everything from study and design to installation, operation, and routine maintenance.
- Ongoing technical support: Commercial charging stations need a fast response to any fault, or they lose revenue.
- Smart management systems: Software for monitoring usage, handling billing, and tracking performance remotely.
- Chargers with varied capacities: The ability to supply AC and DC chargers from 7 kW to 360 kW for every requirement.
Need help choosing the right charger?
The Climatech Charger team installs commercial charging stations across Saudi Arabia. We offer a free feasibility study and full engineering design, with a full warranty and after-sales service.
