ALTOONA, Pa. --Sheetz Inc. has created a foothold for the development of electric vehicles (EVs) in central Pennsylvania with the installation of charging stations at five of its convenience stores, enabling EV drivers to travel more confidently between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
"Sheetz has a long history of embracing innovation and new technology, but more than anything, this is about offering convenience and choice for our customers," said Matt Michrina, sustainability coordinator at Sheetz. "We want to be part of the solution to the rising consumer demand for convenient electric charging options."
ARM EnerTech Associates LLC (AETA) installed the chargers this summer. AETA said they are the first DC fast chargers installed through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PADEP) Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants (AFIG) program. The Level III Eaton charging units feature a CHAdeMO-brand port, which is compatible with the Nissan Leaf. Charge time averages 25 minutes for a complete charge. Customers pay for the charge via credit card at the unit.
Sheetz had originally partnered with EV charging network developer 350Green in 2011 to develop the five sites, but the deal fell through after 350Green failed to install the equipment within the contract's timeframe. According to a report in Centre Daily Times, Sheetz filed a lawsuit against 350Green and its new ownership in June.
The EV charging stations are installed at the following Sheetz sites:
- 4001 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg.
- 6054 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg.
- 1781 N. Atherton St., State College.
- 400 E. Plank Rd., Altoona.
- 610 Route 22 Highway West, Blairsville.
The installation of the EV corridor happened only a month after Sheetz's Center for Shwellness in Claysburg earned Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program for its green design.
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz operates more than 470 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. All Sheetz locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.