Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joined federal, state and local officials to break ground at a Circle K convenience store in Richmond, Kentucky, for the first electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the southeastern United States financed with federal funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.
The Richmond location is one of two awarded sites Circle K will own and operate. The convenience-store chain was also selected to install an EV fast-charging station in Berea, Kentucky, which will begin construction following the completion of the Richmond site.
“We’re very pleased to partner with the state in bringing EV fast charging to the commonwealth with the support of the NEVI program,” said Louise Warner, Circle K senior vice president of global fuels.
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.’s Circle K's site will initially offer four ABB E-mobility 180 kilowatt (kW) fast chargers.
“Delivering high-powered, reliable fast chargers manufactured in America, ABB E-mobility is honored to work with great partners, like Circle K, a company drivers trust and rely on for their fueling needs,” said Chris Nordh, head of ABB E-mobility for North America. “Kentucky’s leadership under Gov. Beshear and the Federal Highway Administration’s support in building the first NEVI funded public charging site in the southeast is key to enabling e-mobility with reliable, easy to use charging solutions across all parts of the country.”
Kentucky will receive nearly $70 million from the federal NEVI Program established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This week’s groundbreaking ceremony is the first phase of the state’s EV Charging Program, which aims to add up to 40 new fast charging stations by 2025 along Kentucky’s interstates and parkways.
“We are already the EV battery production capital of the United States,” said Beshear. “To make sure Kentucky keeps leading the way, we’re building out our EV infrastructure so our families can charge up as they travel our great state.”
Owl Services, a service provider to the petroleum and clean energy markets, will support the installation of the new charging station.
“As an increasing number of electric vehicles are added to the mix of vehicles on the road, we’re working with our partners to ensure that infrastructure is there to deliver on customers’ needs,” said Greg Ergenbright, CEO of Owl Services. “As the leading turnkey service company to EV charging and petroleum customers alike, we are excited to support the ongoing rollout of the NEVI program and overall progress in vehicle electrification.”
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Shailen Bhatt, who attended the ceremony, said in a statement that Kentucky is a “leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, and with today’s announcement, the Bluegrass State becomes a leader in building out reliable and convenient electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”
- Alimentation Couche-Tard is No. 2 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 list of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard operates more than 7,100 stores in the United States, primarily under the Circle K and Holiday Stationstores banners.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.