Two EV charging stations that launched Sept. 19 at an XtraMart in Worcester, Massachusetts, represent Global Partners’ first units owned by the company.
The EV chargers will operate alongside traditional gas and diesel pumps, “creating the energy future and providing options for all guests,” the Waltham, Massachusetts-based company said.
A celebration at 280 Providence St., including Massachusetts State Rep. Jim O’Day (pictured speaking), Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Bonnie Heiple (pictured far right), and Global Partners CEO Eric Slifka (pictured second from right), took place the morning of Sept. 19.
“At MassDEP, we know that EV charging in convenient locations that are accessible to all is critical to the fight against climate change,” Heiple said. “We are proud to partner with Global to expand fast charging options in Worcester and across the commonwealth.”
- Global Partners is No. 24 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
“Global participated in the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) and National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Make-Ready Programs, both of which provided incentives to help with the project,” Global Partners said. “Understanding Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030, Global wants to be a part of the change that answers the call of 300,000 EVs on the road and 75,000 public charging stations by 2030 in Massachusetts.”
Global Partners is planning more charging stations, and the company’s portfolio includes two additional EV charging station sites where the EV chargers are owned by another entity. Global has also launched a student competition, Fuel the Future, designed to inspire ideas for future fueling stations and give scholarships to the top three winners.
Worcester is considered an environmental justice community, where equity means participation in the transportation future for the population of historically marginalized groups, Global Partners said.
“The future of transportation is multi-fueling and an avenue to help decarbonize,” Slifka said. “We imagine our future retail station will be a place where folks can charge their EV, fill up their traditional gas tank while offsetting their carbon footprint, possibly even fill up with hydrogen or renewable diesel, all while enjoying an exceptional cup of coffee and an array of fresh food.”
The transition to EV will not happen overnight, according to a recent report from PDI Technologies. It will take global climate-focused policy pledges and announcements by governments and auto manufacturers. To prepare while the adoption of EVs unfolds, there are steps c-store retailers can take, keeping mind that when EV drivers charge their vehicles, they’ll spend more time onsite.
Even if retailers aren’t ready to install EV charging stations now, they can start evaluating the requirements and opportunities, the report said. Assess the physical infrastructure available to support fuel pumps and EV chargers, PDI suggests. Also, retailers can prepare by reviewing tech systems to understand extensions and upgrades required for EVs. Other ways to prepare include learning about local zoning and permit requirements, finding out if local power grids will support EV charging stations, and checking the number of registered EVs in the area to evaluate market opportunity and return on investment.
Global Partners owns about 1,700 locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, of which 353 are company owned. Brands include Alltown Fresh, Honey Farms and XtraMart, among others.
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