{"id":14762,"date":"2023-01-15T13:34:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T19:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/?p=14762"},"modified":"2023-03-25T18:00:37","modified_gmt":"2023-03-25T23:00:37","slug":"rural-tourism-trend-electric-vehicle-chargers-can-drive-visitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/2023\/01\/rural-tourism-trend-electric-vehicle-chargers-can-drive-visitors.html","title":{"rendered":"Rural Tourism Trend: electric vehicle chargers can drive visitors"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Electric vehicle chargers are a perfect place for tourism wayfinding signs.<\/h1>\n<p>EV charging stations are popping up in lots of rural places, especially along interstate highways and along the coasts in the US. They&#8217;ve become relatively common at some motels as well.<\/p>\n<p>Chargers are also popping up globally in rural places. Deb Brown reported seeing electric vehicle chargers in rural Portugal in Dec 2022.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14763\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/EV-charging-EC-Colorado-Flagler.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14763\" class=\"wp-image-14763 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/EV-charging-EC-Colorado-Flagler.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/EV-charging-EC-Colorado-Flagler.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/EV-charging-EC-Colorado-Flagler.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/EV-charging-EC-Colorado-Flagler.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14763\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Becky McCray<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This EV charging station is near an interstate highway in Flagler, rural East Central Colorado. Seems kinda boring.<\/p>\n<h2>How visitors use electric vehicle charging stations<\/h2>\n<p>Most drivers are stopping at chargers for a boost, rather than driving until the battery is empty and charging it to 100%. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canarymedia.com\/articles\/ev-charging\/5-charts-that-shed-new-light-on-how-people-charge-evs-at-home\">Canary Media reported<\/a>, <strong>&#8220;EV charging tends to come in sips, rather than gulps.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>How long does EV charging take? Quick chargers take 15 to 30 minutes to deliver this kind of sip.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Imagine people pulling off the highway and into your small town, then standing around or sitting in their cars for 15 to 30 minutes. What could you do to turn them into visitors?<\/p>\n<h2>Idea 1. Post wayfinding signs<\/h2>\n<p>If you already have way-finding signs for your community, look for EV charging stations to post them at.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14767\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-map-Limon-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14767\" class=\"wp-image-14767 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-map-Limon-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-map-Limon-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-map-Limon-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-map-Limon-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-map-Limon-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Becky McCray<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Limon, Colorado, has the full wayfinding sign package: directional arrows to all the amenities, plus a map of the town mounted on the post.<\/p>\n<h2>Idea 2. Include signs to businesses<\/h2>\n<p>What local businesses might a traveler visit? Any kind! Of course retail, convenience, grocery stores and restaurants. But while you&#8217;ve got the chance, why not go all out and share a huge business directory sign?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14764\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14764\" class=\"wp-image-14764 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled-e1673808837722-800x431.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled-e1673808837722-800x431.jpg 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled-e1673808837722-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled-e1673808837722-768x413.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled-e1673808837722-740x400.jpg 740w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-sign-with-business-list-Flagler-CO.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-scaled-e1673808837722.jpg 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14764\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Becky McCray<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This wayfinding sign is not far from the EV charging station shown at the top of this article. It&#8217;s in Flagler, Colorado, and includes an easily-updateable\u00a0 list of businesses and a pointer to the business district.<\/p>\n<h2>Idea 3. Feature your local culture<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_8671\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Business-list-sign-in-Concrete-Washington.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8671\" class=\"wp-image-8671 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Business-list-sign-in-Concrete-Washington-800x491.jpg\" alt=\"Business list sign in Concrete, Washington.\" width=\"800\" height=\"491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Business-list-sign-in-Concrete-Washington-800x491.jpg 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Business-list-sign-in-Concrete-Washington-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Business-list-sign-in-Concrete-Washington.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Becky McCray<\/p><\/div>\n<p>When you pull into Concrete, Washington, from the highway, you come to a stop at the main intersection facing this wayfinding sign with a list of businesses and direction arrows. The chainsaw art border reflects their local mountain culture and history.<\/p>\n<h2>Idea 4. Show them a map<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_14765\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-map-sign-mural-printed-on-metal-Lumby-BC.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14765\" class=\"wp-image-14765 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-map-sign-mural-printed-on-metal-Lumby-BC.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-map-sign-mural-printed-on-metal-Lumby-BC.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-map-sign-mural-printed-on-metal-Lumby-BC.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-map-sign-mural-printed-on-metal-Lumby-BC.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-map-sign-mural-printed-on-metal-Lumby-BC.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Becky McCray<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This wayfinding map of the town of Lumby, British Columbia, Canada, includes an inset map of the town park. The design is printed on metal and mounted on the building. When it fades, it will be easy to replace.<\/p>\n<h2>Idea 5. If signs aren&#8217;t allowed, paint a map mural nearby<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_14766\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-mural-Concrete-WA-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14766\" class=\"wp-image-14766 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-mural-Concrete-WA-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-800x479.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-mural-Concrete-WA-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-800x479.jpg 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-mural-Concrete-WA-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-mural-Concrete-WA-Photo-by-Becky-McCray-768x460.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Wayfinding-mural-Concrete-WA-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Becky McCray<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If wayfinding signs aren&#8217;t allowed, how about an artistic map mural? Here Concrete, Washington, lays claim on being the Center of the Known Universe. This mural led me to discover the historic concrete bridge at the edge of town which was well worth a visit for an infrastructure nerd.<\/p>\n<h1>Get more top topics for small towns<\/h1>\n<p>This is just one of the 5 top topics that Deb Brown and I put together. These topics are ones we think don&#8217;t get enough attention right now. Discover the other 4 topics at <a href=\"https:\/\/learnto.saveyour.town\/top-topics-2023-small-town-rural-communities\/\">LearnTo.SaveYour.Town: 5 Top Topics<\/a>. No charge.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/learnto.saveyour.town\/top-topics-2023-small-town-rural-communities\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-14771\" src=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Top-rural-topics-2023-w1-800x267.png\" alt=\"For small towns and rural places. Top Topics for 2023. Not the same old trends! \" width=\"800\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Top-rural-topics-2023-w1-800x267.png 800w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Top-rural-topics-2023-w1-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Top-rural-topics-2023-w1-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Top-rural-topics-2023-w1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Electric vehicle chargers are a perfect place for tourism wayfinding signs. EV charging stations are popping up in lots of rural places, especially along interstate highways and along the coasts in the US. They&#8217;ve become relatively common at some motels as well. Chargers are also popping up globally in rural places. Deb Brown reported seeing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":14763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,10,8,2,36],"tags":[719,718,720,380,157,469,228,721],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/EV-charging-EC-Colorado-Flagler.-Photo-by-Becky-McCray.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14762"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14762"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14777,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14762\/revisions\/14777"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}