RaceTrac Inc. has unveiled its first electric-vehicle (EV) charging station in the country, located at its convenience store in Oxford, Alabama, near I-20 between Birmingham, Alabama, and Atlanta. The retailer plans additional charger installations at stations in Dallas before the end of 2024, and it said it will announce locations in the coming months.
RaceTrac is partnering with Atlanta-based EV charging provider EnviroSpark for the installation. The 180-kW, dual-connector charger will offer quick charging options for all battery EVs in about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Natalie Morhous, president of RaceTrac Inc., is CSP’s 2023 Retail Leader of the Year.RaceTrac is No. 15 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of convenience store chains by store count.
“As pioneers and innovators in the transportation and fuel industry, we are embarking on a new journey to support the development of an electrified transportation system,” said Max McBrayer, CEO at Atlanta-based RaceTrac. “As a fuel provider—no matter the type—RaceTrac will meet the evolving needs of its guests and America’s motorists by providing EV drivers with access to a robust and reliable refueling network for years to come.”
The number of EVs on U.S. roads is projected to grow significantly by 2030, RaceTrac said, citing the Yale School of the Environment. With its competitive electricity rates for EV charging and central location to destinations throughout the Southeast, Alabama was a logical choice for RaceTrac’s first charging station, it said.
The Oxford charging station has one direct-current fast charger (DCFC) with two CCS ports, both situated under a dedicated RaceTrac canopy, similar to those found above traditional fuel pumps. The canopy provides shelter for customers looking to charge and differentiates RaceTrac from most EV charging sites, it said.
In addition to the new chargers, the Oxford RaceTrac location continues to offer a variety of traditional fuel options, including diesel canopies for large trucks. The store opened in 2021 and is part of RaceTrac’s continued growth into Alabama. Eight RaceTrac stores currently operate within the state, while two new travel centers are scheduled to open in the fall of 2023, near the cities of Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.
Family-owned RaceTrac has been serving customers since 1934 and now operates more than 570 convenience stores in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee.
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.