Love’s Travel Stops is making a significant investment in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with plans to add charging stations to all of its locations in the near future. This move is in line with the company’s commitment to sustainability and providing more services to customers who drive electric vehicles. Love’s has been adding chargers to its gas stations since 2017, but with new federal funding from the Biden administration’s infrastructure law, the company is ramping up its efforts.
Love’s recent announcement of new “next-generation” charging sites in New York marks the company’s continued dedication to expanding its EV charging network. These sites will feature dual-port DC fast chargers with a minimum power rate of 160 kW, providing faster charging times for EV drivers. Love’s also revealed plans to include space for EV charging at all future Travel Stops, ensuring that customers can easily access charging stations while on the go.
One key partnership that has helped Love’s expand its EV charging network is with Electrify America. This collaboration has enabled Love’s to add road-trip charging waypoints at its locations, making it easier for EV drivers to travel long distances without worrying about running out of charge. Love’s now boasts more than 100 chargers at 28 stores in 11 states, with plans to focus on fast chargers under protective canopies in future constructions.
In addition to its partnership with Electrify America, Love’s has also secured funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This federal program, established under the 2021 infrastructure law, allocates funds for the development of a national network of 500,000 charging stations along 75,000 miles of highways. Love’s has been among the top three firms to receive funding through the NEVI program, allowing them to accelerate the expansion of their EV charging network.
Looking ahead, Love’s has ambitious plans to start construction on NEVI-funded stations in Pennsylvania and Kentucky this year. The company also has plans to build more stations in states like Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington in the coming years. This expansion is a positive development for the federal charging network, which has been relatively slow to roll out thus far.
Love’s Travel Stops believes that co-locating EV charging with its travel centers offers several benefits to customers, including proximity to highways, onsite amenities, and 24/7 staffing. These factors make it more convenient for EV drivers to charge their vehicles while taking a break at Love’s locations. A similar strategy is being employed by Pilot Travel Centers in collaboration with General Motors, with plans to open about 200 EV fast-charging locations by the end of 2024.
In conclusion, Love’s Travel Stops is making significant strides in expanding its EV charging network, with plans to add charging stations to all of its locations in the near future. By securing funding through the NEVI program and partnering with Electrify America, Love’s is positioning itself as a key player in the development of the national EV charging network. This commitment to sustainability and convenience for customers demonstrates Love’s dedication to meeting the needs of the growing number of EV drivers on the road.