CITGO Petroleum Corp. and fuel marketer Folk Oil Co., operating under the name PS Food Mart, have launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging pilot program at a convenience store in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The PS Food Mart at 15551 11 Mile Road offers regular transportation fuel and EV charging stations. EV chargers include both Combined Charging System (CCS) and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs, Houston-based CITGO said.
“As a marketer, we need to provide offerings that meet all types of transportation needs for our consumers,” said Jim Linton, president of Homer, Michigan-based Folk Oil, “so we appreciate how CITGO is approaching the EV space in a way that ensures its marketers’ success. Working together we were able to pinpoint the best location to launch this program.”
CITGO devised an internal modthe Houston-based companyCITGO said. The turnkey solutions provider will work with stores throughout the entire process, even facilitating access to available grants via the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the Inflation Reduction Act and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Utilities.
Kevin Kinney, CITGO general manager of brand equity, explained how the CITGO approach differs from the conventional industry approach. “Instead of a store receiving a monthly rent for EV charger installation, the CITGO program provides upfront assistance while still giving the marketer full ownership of the installed EV charger,” he said.
Brad Hinkley, vice president of business development for AGI’s ELM division, said, “In addition to our turnkey solutions, we offer an extensive range of EV charger brands, giving CITGO marketers the flexibility to choose the best solution for their site. With so many moving parts in the EV space, we’re here to provide a streamlined program that covers everything from charger selection to post-installation maintenance.”
AGI ELM, established in 1969, is a national electrical contractor that provides turnkey EV charging infrastructure throughout the United States and Canada. Services include portfolio analysis, rebate harvesting, design, engineering, implementation, commissioning, warranty management and maintenance.
Folk Oil manages 43 retail convenience stores in south central Michigan and northern Ohio. The company’s roots began in 1921 with L.H. Folk, a Standard Oil agent, providing fuel oil and lubricants to rural homes and farms in Calhoun County, Michigan. Besides its 43 c-stores, Folk Oil manages five automatic car washes, 10 Subway Franchises, a Tubby’s Sub franchise, a Denny’s restaurant franchise and the 115-count Family Restaurant.
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.