Sheetz Locations to Get Charged Up

ALTOONA, Pa.  -- Sheetz Inc. is teaming up with 350Green, a developer of electric vehicle (EV) charging station networks, to build and operate a network of EV charging stations at five Sheetz locations in Pennsylvania.

The convenience stores slated to get the charging stations are Mifflintown, York, Lancaster, State College and Mechanicsburg. Now, Sheetz customers will be able to take advantage of the first direct-current (DC) fast chargers installed at service stations in the United States, according to a 350Green news release.

"We provide top-notch convenience and a wide variety of food and beverage choices for our customers to refuel themselves inside our stores," said Stan Sheetz, president and CEO, Sheetz. "By offering electric vehicle charging stations, we now can offer our customers an environmentally friendly refueling choice at the pump."

Placing chargers near where people live and work is considered an important part of reducing the "range anxiety" that could otherwise slow the adoption of electric vehicles. To ease fears of batteries sputtering mid-trip, 350Green has been working with partners across the country to meet the rising demand for convenient charging options, according to the 350Green release.

"Sheetz has made their stores a destination, as well as a convenient place to refuel. Making charging part of the convenience store experience shows you don't need to sacrifice anything to own a cleaner car," said Mariana Gerzanych, CEO of 350Green. "Expanding the charging infrastructure beyond homes and public garages through partnerships like this one is making electric vehicle ownership a realistic option for millions of people."

The installation of the Sheetz chargers will be completed by the end of this year. A DC fast charger (480V) can charge a Nissan Leaf to 80 percent in as little as 25 minutes.