EVwire brief: Electric Era is bringing its battery-backed DC fast chargers to six United Dairy Farmers (UDF) stores in Ohio, with the Cincinnati-based ice cream and convenience store chain securing all six sites through the state's NEVI program. The chargers are expected to start coming online in early 2027.
The deal marks UDF's first move into DC fast charging. Five of the six locations are in the Greater Cincinnati area, while one is in Hilliard, near Columbus. UDF applied for six sites under Ohio's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and was awarded all of them, picking stores close to major highways and in areas with strong charging demand.
Here are the six UDF locations that will get Electric Era chargers:
5171 Riggins Rd, Hilliard (Columbus area)
890 Columbus Ave, Lebanon (Cincinnati area)
5261 Kings Mills Rd, Mason (Cincinnati area)
6643 OH-48, Maineville (Cincinnati area)
11610 Lebanon Rd, Cincinnati
5275 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati
UDF will announce launch timing for each site as its chargers come online.
A render of a UDF site with Electric Era fast chargers
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Electric Era's chargers combine grid power with on-site battery storage, with the company's software managing power delivery to keep peak demand in check. This means that the stations can hold their charging speeds even at sites where grid capacity is limited. Electric Era also backs its hardware with a guarantee of 98%+ per-port uptime and an 85%+ first plug-in success rate.
Electric Era founder and CEO Quincy Lee, a former SpaceX engineer, announced the partnership on LinkedIn:
This partnership with UDF is the perfect embodiment of what we're trying to achieve at Electric Era. The EV charging experience at stores like UDF is not only reliable and fast, but guests also have the added benefit of enjoying everything UDF offers through the U-Drive Plus program. Can't wait for my next trip to Cincinnati!
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Context:
The chargers will also be tied to UDF's U-Drive Plus loyalty program, with members getting credits off charging the same way they get cents off gas. Drivers can earn additional charging credits through qualifying in-store purchases, and UDF plans to send personalized food and drink offers through both the app and the chargers themselves.
For the rollout, UDF picked some of its newest stores, which come with expanded food and drink options, indoor and outdoor seating, public Wi-Fi and a clear view of the charging area. The setup is built for EV drivers, who typically spend 20 to 30 minutes at a UDF store while their vehicles charge.
Founded in 1940, UDF operates more than 170 ice cream parlors and convenience stores across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, with more than 3,200 employees. Seattle-based Electric Era, founded in 2020, has more than 30 active fast-charging deployments to date.
Source: Electric Era and Quincy Lee on LinkedIn
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