By Rod Walton, EnergyTech Senior Editor
One of the nation’s largest fuel and rest stations is partnering with Electrify America to locate approximately 1,000 direct-current (DC) fast chargers for electric vehicles utilizing its TA/Petro locations.
According to TravelCenters of America (TA), the collaboration is aimed at meeting the evolving needs of motorists and moving towards a more sustainable future.
“TA’s large locations with expansive amenities are attractive to EV motorists and we are committed to expanding our EV charging infrastructure to accommodate this growing number of EV drivers over time,” said CEO of TravelCenters of America, Jon Pertchik.
Under the deal, TA will buy about 1,000 DC fast chargers from Electrify America to be deployed at 200 locations along highways over a period of five years. The first stations are expected to be launched in 2023.
Electrify America will be responsible for designing, installing, operating, and maintaining the charging stations. Additionally, it will also manage the permitting, maintenance, and 24/7 customer support services. TA will be part of the Electrify America charging network, enabling customers to access and pay for charging via the Electrify America app.
The network will offer fast charging speeds of up to 350 kW for almost all EV brands, providing range confidence to EV drivers traveling long distances.
“Electrify America is pleased to collaborate with an industry leader like TravelCenters of America to provide the critical infrastructure needed for EV drivers of today and tomorrow,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Electrify America, Giovanni Palazzo,. “Our combined strengths allow us to take bigger steps toward our shared vision of a more sustainable future.”
Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, TravelCenters of America operates in 281 locations in 44 states, principally under the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express brands.
The company is working to be ready for a growing electrification of the U.S. transporation sector, although that rollout may be uncertain when it comes to commercial and industrial fleets. In a TravelCenters survey released last summer, about 20 percent of respondents said they had an EV in their fleet, while close to half expected to add them by 2030.
TA also has a deal with heavy-duty vehicle maker Nikola to install hydrogen stations in Ontario, California. Many see hydrogen-powered fuel cells as a better option for Class 8 trucking and large buses because of higher energy density and longer range with H2, according to reports.
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Electrify America, a Virginia-based open DC fast charging network and subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, is investing more than US$2 billion in zero emission vehicle infrastructure, education and access.
Electrify America and Electrify Canada expect to have more than 1,800 total charging stations with over 10,000 individual chargers in the US and Canada combined by 2026. Currently, Electrify America estimates about 3,450 fast chargers across the US.
