The company broke ground on ‘next-generation’ charging stations in two locations.

August 21, 2024

Love’s Travel Stops is investing in new electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies and infrastructure across the United States, the company announced.

The retailer recently broke ground on next-generation EV charging stations at its New York stores in Ripley and Waterloo. Each location will feature two dual port Level 3 DC fast chargers (four charging spots) with high-power outputs (160kW).

“Love’s is honored to play a critical role in actively shaping and building out the fast-charging electric vehicle network across the nation,” said Shane Wharton, Love’s president. “Expanding the EV charging network is not new to us as we first started in the EV space in 2017 and have continued to grow the network. We now offer more than 100 chargers at 28 stores in 11 states. These future EV investments reinforce our commitment to meeting customers’ needs regardless of fuel type.”

Love’s noted that it offers both AC charging (Level 2) and DC fast charging (Level 3), and all future charging stations will be DC fast chargers. Additionally, each new EV charging area is expected to have canopies installed to protect drivers from weather as well as typical fueling amenities such as trash cans and windshield cleaning supplies. Locations will also be well lit, have full security camera coverage and team members will regularly walk the property to check for safety issues.

In collaboration with Trillium Energy Solutions, a Love’s Family of Companies brand, Love’s has secured state and National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program federal grants to assist in building out the EV charging infrastructure across the country. 

The NEVI program allocates federal funding by state for EV charging equipment installation. The program aims to invest $5 billion over five years to create a national network of 500,000 EV chargers along 75,000 miles of highways, with a focus on enhancing accessibility and convenience for drivers. Love's continues to be among the top three firms to receive the most NEVI grant funds overall and leads in the travel station sector, said the company. A significant amount of the NEVI grants has been awarded to fuel retailers.

Groundbreaking on four NEVI-funded charging stations in Pennsylvania and four in Kentucky will start this year. In 2025, construction is expected to start on grant awards Love’s secured in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. All new Love’s Travel Stops will have space for EV chargers, with the goal to be able to quickly partner with local utility companies to install EV charging stations should there be customer demand.