Wawa plans to deploy its own branded DC fast-charging stations at eight stores in Pennsylvania this year, expanding the convenience retailer’s direct involvement in electric vehicle charging. The company will use Electrify America’s white-label charging platform, which provides the charging equipment, software and network support while allowing Wawa to operate the stations under its own brand.
Five Sites to Offer 400 kW Charging
Five of the eight planned locations will feature chargers supporting both NACS and CCS connectors, with charging capacity of up to 400 kW.
The remaining three sites will use CCS-only chargers capable of delivering up to 350 kW.
The actual charging speed available to an individual vehicle will depend on the vehicle’s battery and charging system. The 400 kW hardware nevertheless places the new stations among the higher-power public chargers being deployed in the United States.
The three CCS-only, 350 kW locations are planned for:
- 5900 Bristol Pike, Bristol
- 7572 Schantz Road, Allentown
- 1960 John Fries Highway, Quakertown
The five locations with 400 kW chargers and both NACS and CCS connectors are:
- 8240 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby
- 1600 Egypt Road, Phoenixville
- 1242 West Baltimore Pike, Media
- 164 Maynard Street, Williamsport
- 413 Lancaster Avenue, Reading
Wawa Expands Direct Role in EV Charging
Wawa previously introduced self-branded Tesla Superchargers and is now extending the approach to chargers supplied through Electrify America.
The retailer said the Pennsylvania rollout will serve as a test of its Wawa-owned charging model, giving the company greater control over branding, reliability and the customer experience.
“Owning Wawa-branded EV chargers allows us to provide more options throughout 14 states for our customers,” said Rich Makin, Wawa’s senior vice president and chief fuel and development officer.
For Wawa, operating branded charging stations also creates an opportunity to integrate EV charging more closely with its convenience-store business, potentially encouraging drivers to use the stores while their vehicles charge.
Electrify America Provides Charging Platform
Electrify America’s white-label platform allows Wawa to operate the stations under its own name while relying on Electrify America for the underlying charging equipment, software and network support.
The arrangement gives Wawa a branded customer-facing charging network without requiring the retailer to independently develop all of the technology and network infrastructure.
The eight Pennsylvania stations will add to Wawa’s existing relationships with charging providers. The company also hosts IONNA fast chargers and Tesla Superchargers at selected locations.
The new Wawa-branded stations are not intended to replace those existing partnerships, but instead expand the retailer’s direct role in EV charging.
Pennsylvania Rollout Tests New Charging Strategy
Wawa has not announced individual opening dates or pricing for the eight stations.
The Pennsylvania deployment will provide the retailer with experience operating branded high-power charging infrastructure as EV charging becomes an increasingly important part of the convenience-store business.
The use of both NACS and CCS at five locations also gives drivers using different charging standards access to the new high-power sites.