EV Charging Done Right™ for fuel retailers

DC fast charging infrastructure requires 480 volt, 3-phase electrical service, and a relatively higher power capacity (kW) from your site’s existing electrical distribution system, so it’s important you engage with your local utility early in the process to make sure your site can accommodate DC fast chargers. 

You should consider the amount of space required based on the scale on your deployment. How many parking stalls are you allocating to EV charging? Do you plan to scale your operation as EV adoption grows? Do you want to add a canopy? The space you should plan for will also depend on the type of charging infrastructure you’re considering. For example, all-in-one charging stations like the FLO Ultra™ DC fast charger require a smaller footprint than dispensers, which require remote power cabinets. In any case, keep in mind the location of the electrical panel and where the conduits will be. FLO’s in-house engineering team can help you plan your EV charging deployment and assist you with your site layout. 

Whether you operate the largest fuel retailing chain in your area or an independent store, you can benefit from the growth in EV adoption. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that by 2030 the US will need 182,000 publicly accessible fast charging stations. Convenience stores and gas stations are a natural fit for fast charging infrastructure and can benefit from increased basket size and higher turn-in rates of their gas counterparts. 

DC fast chargers (DCFC) power output typically range from 50 kW to 350 kW, but there is a limit on the amount of power a battery can accept. This acceptance rate, or maximum input, depend on the vehicle make and model. Many EVs currently on the market have lower acceptance rates while newer models, like the Porsche Taycan, can handle up to 270 kW. The FLO Ultra™ DC fast charger is a modular EV charging station that can provide up to 320 kW to a single car, or up to 160 kW to two vehicles charging simultaneously. You can also pair two FLO Ultra™ stations together with UltraConnect™ and deliver up to 480 kW to a single car. 

There is a wide range of funding options to help convenience stores and gas stations install EV charging infrastructure. There are federal programs, like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program in the United States and the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) in Canada, as well as utility and local government funding. You can see the different programs available in your region here. 

A fair amount of space is needed to accommodate a pull-through parking configuration, but it’s the preferred site configuration to allow larger vehicles and vehicles towing trailers to charge. If you have limited space, a pull-in parking configuration will work best, but it may limit the spot to light-duty passenger vehicles. 

An all-in-one DC fast charger like the FLO Ultra™ houses the power modules and all the electrical components to offer fast charging. A dispenser-type, or distributed fast charger will require the installation of power cabinets and trenching from and to the dispensers, which typically increase costs and take additional space versus an all-in-one charger.