Last week, my second grader started her annual quest to sell boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I have realized through the years that having a kid in Girl Scouts is akin to signing up for a masterclass in juggling, where your newfound talents include managing cookie sale logistics, deciphering (overly complicated) badge requirements, and strategically avoiding craft-induced glitter explosions. My tiny sash-wearing warrior is now part of a high-stakes business venture where the currency is thin mints. Every year I panic as I stack (what seem to be endless) boxes of cookies in my garage and wonder how to maintain a cheerful(ish) demeanor while stealthily convincing everyone I know that they do, in fact, need another box of Samoas. After all, purchasing Girl Scout cookies isn’t like buying any other cookie; purchasing these tasty confections means supporting youth development programs and improving the community engagement and development of young girls. What could be better, right?
When I went to pick up the latest batch of boxes, I was greeted by a crew of other parents – half of which were driving electric vehicles (EVs). The pickup line looks different this year as more and more people are making the shift to EVs (and more and more people seem to also be joining my kid’s troop). I asked one of the dads why he opted to get an EV and he said the prices had come down enough to make it affordable – and he was happy to see more charging infrastructure throughout our neighborhood. He told me he was pleasantly surprised to be able to pick up the car he wanted from a local dealership (without joining a waitlist as in years past) and that he liked knowing he was doing his part to save the environment. It kind of seemed like some of the factors he considered in buying his EV were like the factors I considered when allowing my kid to sell cookies again: convenience, quality, and a sense of purpose.
Most people in the energy industry have heard rumors that production on EVs is slowing down. While overall inventories have increased by over 500% from a year ago, EVs are sitting on lots longer than their gas-powered counterparts. Consumers still have concerns about overall price (the average EV is ~25% higher than a gas vehicle), as well as charging costs and capabilities. In an industry desperate to advance environmental solutions, slowed production can feel about as daunting as stacking boxes upon boxes up in a garage with no guaranteed sales in sight. And yet there I was, unloading cases of Girl Scout cookies, knowing full well they cost a little bit more than store-bought varieties and that – in most cases – it would be a lot easier for people to just run to the grocery store, buy a box of Oreos, and call it a day.
But here’s the thing. Focusing on the (likely temporary) slow in EV production loses sight of the big picture. 1.2 million drivers in the United States bought EVs last year, which makes EVs the fastest-growing car sales category, holding a 7.6% share of the country’s total vehicle market. Experts in the industry believe that more new product, more incentives, more inventory, more leasing and more infrastructure will only increase that momentum. Similarly, while production of Girl Scout cookies only occurs a few months a year, Girl Scouts sell 200 million boxes of cookies annually (more than Oreos!). So while the cookies in my garage might not fly off the shelves as readily as their store-bought counterparts, they will most definitely find homes – even with a higher price tag and (in some cases) less overall convenience.
Accompanying my daughter (decked out in her adorable vest) to make personal sales means I can sell cookies in a way that (hopefully) feels personal and helpful. And, while obviously different in many aspects, GridX is similarly prepared to help provide customers with unbeatable service as EVs continue to rise within utility footprints nationwide. Consumer trends are complex and difficult to understand in a vacuum. Using software to help decipher when and why consumers will purchase EVs – and what impact that will have on different circuits – is critical in maintaining grid reliability. Even in an industry as seemingly simple as Girl Scout cookies, online interfaces explaining nutrition, cost, and shipping capabilities promotes sales and increases customer understanding and convenience. Making sure customers can experience the joy and value of educated purchases means greater trust and involvement in programs (just as happy neighbors will continue to indulge my persuasive mini salesperson). Together, GridX can help utilities get more EVs successfully on the road (alongside the storage capabilities they provide) – and, with any luck, I will be able to park two cars in my garage again before the next snowstorm.
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