TravelCenters of America connecting EV fast charging at 200 stations

Jan. 31, 2023
The Electrify America-managed 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

From Wire and Staff Reports

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 Jon Pertchik, CEO of TravelCenters of America.

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 Giovanni Palazzo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Electrify America. “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 $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 U.S. and Canada combined by 2026. Currently, Electrify America estimates about 3,450 fast chargers across the U.S.

About the Author

Rod Walton, EnergyTech Managing Editor | Senior Editor

For EnergyTech editorial inquiries, please contact Managing Editor Rod Walton at [email protected].

Rod Walton has spent 15 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist. He formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

Walton earned his Bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. His career stops include the Moore American, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, Wagoner Tribune and Tulsa World. 

EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids. The C&I sectors together account for close to 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

He was named Managing Editor for Microgrid Knowledge and EnergyTech starting July 1, 2023

Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.