CHICAGO — Hybrid- and electric-vehicle sales in some markets in the United States have increased in recent months as sales of non-hybrid internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles fueled by gasoline or diesel decreased, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In fourth-quarter 2021, hybrids and EVs collectively accounted for 11% of light-duty vehicle sales in the United States, EIA says, citing data from Ward’s Intelligence.
As part of its energy transition and convenience destination strategy, energy supplier and fuel retailer Parkland Corp. is looking beyond fossil fuels and is building a network of retail electric vehicle ultra-fast charging destinations in British Columbia in Canada. In addition, Parkland is advancing architectural designs for a charging destination that it believes will “set a new standard for electric vehicle charging and customer experience.”
Calgary, Alberta-based Parkland is a consolidator and operator of convenience retail and fuel marketing businesses in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and the Americas through retail, commercial and wholesale channels. It is the second largest c-store operator in Canada with 650 retail outlets and more than 1,830 dealer sites under multiple brands.
Parkland has developed the initial architectural concept for what it is calling the Electric Charging Destination of the Future by sponsoring an international design competition with Electric Autonomy Canada, a Toronto-based content platform focused on electric and autonomous vehicle technologies, “to re-imagine the traditional gas station experience.”
“We are positioned to win through the energy transition and are focused on developing our existing business in resilient markets, further growing our retail business into convenience, food and EV charging, and helping our commercial customers decarbonize their operations,” Darren Smart, senior vice president of energy transition and corporate development for Parkland, said in announcing the results of the contest, which Parkland sponsored.
James Silvester, a Scotland-based architect with experience designing sustainable architecture, created the winning design, More With Less, which offers a relaxing environment where EV drivers can recharge their vehicles while playing pool, working out or relax in a garden or lounge. The concept includes Parkland’s On the Run convenience-store brand and foodservice programs. The scalable, modular design uses versatile, environmentally friendly materials, and the structure is integrated into nature by creating a series of outdoor spaces.
“Parkland is committed to bringing the winning design concept to life as part of our EV-charging strategy,” Jay Erickson, COO of Parkland Corp.’s U.S. division, Charleston, S.C.-based Parkland USA, tells CSP.
Parkland is investing $10 million to build British Columbia’s largest network of ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers, co-located with On the Run-branded c-stores and Triple O’s restaurants on high-traffic routes through the province and into Calgary, Erickson says. The chargers give an approximately 80% charge in 20 minutes. About 10% to 12% of new cars in British Columbia are EVs, and the province leads even California in the number of electric cars, he says, so “it’s a great test bed for EVs.”
But the needs of EV customers are different than those of traditional gas station customers, “EV customers will dwell longer as they charge their vehicles,” says Erickson. “This creates an opportunity for us and we are focused on providing customers with unrivalled amenity and convenience, which helps them make the most of every stop. We’re building this network and will be well positioned to apply our learnings to other markets when we see emerging demand,” says Erickson.
The company expects the network in British Columbia to be complete in the second half of 2022.
“We are a customer focused company and our approach is very focused on meeting customer demand for EV charging,” Erickson says. “EV adoption varies a lot. Some states and provinces are seeing growing adoption today, while others don’t appear to be embracing EV’s. We don’t expect adoption to be linear. Even if EV demand isn’t there yet, we want to make sure that our sites are ready. As we build new or redevelop existing sites, we’re making sure that we have the necessary electrical infrastructure in place, and that we have parking spaces for future EV charging.”
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