Dive Brief:
- RaceTrac has opened its first EV charging station at a store in Oxford, Alabama, according to a Wednesday press release.
- This is the first step of a larger rollout that will include adding chargers to several stores in the Dallas area by the end of 2024, the company said. RaceTrac will detail specific locations in the coming months.
- By adding EV charging, RaceTrac joins most of the top c-store chains in at least experimenting with the fast-growing technology.
Dive Insight:
RaceTrac said it chose Alabama because of its lower electricity rates and central location relative to many destinations in the southeast U.S.
The store in Oxford offers a 180-kilowatt dual-connector fast charger, which should be able to charge an EV in about 15 to 20 minutes. The chargers are also under a canopy in case of inclement weather.
As RaceTrac looks to expand its charging facilities, it can look to its wide array of food offerings, including “Crazy Good Coffee,” Swirl World frozen desserts, fresh pizza, sandwiches and more to give EV drivers something to do while their cars charge.
“As pioneers and innovators in the transportation and fuel industry, we are embarking on a new journey to support the development of an electrified transportation system,” said Max McBrayer, CEO at RaceTrac. “As a fuel provider — no matter the type — RaceTrac will meet the evolving needs of its guests and America’s motorists.”
While some convenience retailers have questions and concerns about electrification, the number of EV drivers in the U.S. is growing rapidly. S&P Global Mobility said EVs could make up to 40% of U.S. new car sales by 2030.
In addition to adding the EV charger to its store in Oxford, RaceTrac also plans to augment its current eight-store footprint in Alabama with two additional travel centers by the end of 2023, near Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.
RaceTrac also recently announced floor-cleaning robots, which are being added to all its travel centers in an effort to cut back on the physical strain for employees.
Atlanta-based RaceTrac operates more than 570 convenience stores across Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee.
