Gate Participates in Nissan’s DC Fast Charger Program

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gate Petroleum Co. is participating in Nissan’s DC Fast Charger Advantage Program, which provides organizations with monetary incentives and technical and marketing assistance so they can be at the forefront of the growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

Gate, operator of convenience stores throughout the southeastern United States including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, installed a DC Fast Charger at its Jacksonville store located between the University of North Florida and the St. Johns Town Center shopping area.

The fast charger works with the Nissan LEAF — reportedly the world's best-selling electric vehicle — and other vehicles compatible with the CHAdeMO charging standard. Drivers may pay with an RFID card, credit card, call the posted toll-free number or use the Greenlots smartphone app.

This fast-charging station rapidly charges electric vehicles with “direct current” electricity. The Nissan LEAF can be charged to 80 percent of its battery capacity in less than 30 minutes, or to about 40 to 50 miles in 10 minutes.

“Adding an EV charging station is consistent with the Gate philosophy of being responsive to all of our customers’ fueling requirements. We will also soon be opening our first CNG [compressed natural gas] fueling station,” said Mitchell Rhodes, chief operating officer at Gate.

The approximately 6,800-square-foot Jacksonville store boasts a wide array of amenities to serve EV drivers while they charge, such as new Gate Always Fresh food offerings, signature Best Bean Coffee and a YOBE frozen yogurt bar. Customers can enjoy their purchases on covered outdoor patios. The store is open seven days a week and operates 24 hours a day.

In addition to participating in Nissan’s DC Fast Charger Advantage Program for this project, Gate worked with NovaCharge, a Tampa, Fla.-based national provider and integrator of EV charging solutions.