(% Another case of 'my daughter made me do it' - smart kid %)
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/first-gas-station-to-ditch-oil-for-electric-vehicle-charging-now-open.html
First gas station in America to ditch oil for 100% electric vehicle charging
opens in Maryland
2019-09-26 Jacob Douglas
[image
https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/106150512-1569506099831gasstation.jpg
H/O first gas station in US to convert from oil to EV charging
The first ever gas station to be converted to electric charging for electric
vehicles opens in Takoma Park, Maryland on Thursday, September 26, 2019 /
Electric Vehicle Institute
]
Key Points
- The first gas station in the U.S. that has been completely transitioned
from a petroleum station to exclusively charging EVs opened Thursday in
Takoma Park, Maryland.
- RS Automotives, the local gas station, has been around since 1958, made
the switch.
- Depeswar Doley, owner of the station was unhappy with the way oil and
gasoline companies structure contracts and decided to go to 100% EV
charging.
- There are more than 20,700 registered electric vehicles in Maryland, and
the area also has an electric taxi service in need of more charging
infrastructure.
The first gas station in the U.S. that has been completely transitioned from
a petroleum station to exclusively charging EVs opened Thursday in Takoma
Park, Maryland.
RS Automotives, the local gas station, has been around since 1958.
Depeswar Doley, owner of the station since 1997, said he was already unhappy
with the way oil and gasoline companies structure contracts — such as
limiting the use of multiple suppliers, including clauses that extend
contracts when a certain volume of sales is not met and limiting maintenance
support. These business factors already were pushing him to consider other
options.
A nudge from his daughter was the final step in convincing Doley to make the
switch to EV charging.
“My daughter, who is 17, she is the one who convinced me after I told her
that I was going to talk to the (Electric Vehicle Institute) guys,” Doley
said.
A public works manager for the city of Takoma Park, Maryland, first
suggested to Doley a conversation with Electric Vehicle Institute [EVI
www.ev-institute.com ].
When he told his daughter about the idea, “she said, ‘Dad, that’s a real
good suggestion.’”
"
It’s not something that I expect to become rich overnight or something like
that, but it’s a good cause (and) good for the environment.
Depeswar Doley
owner of the first gas station to exclusively offer EV charging
"
Doley said he’s not too worried about how the switch will change his
business income.
“You notice there are not too many electric vehicles on the road,” he said.
“So it’s not something that I expect to become rich overnight or something
like that, but it’s a good cause (and) good for the environment.”
There are more than 20,700 registered EVs in Maryland, and the area also has
an electric taxi service in need of more chargers for their business.
The gas station conversion was jointly funded by the Electric Vehicle
Institute and the Maryland Energy Administration, which provided a grant of
$786,000.
Matthew Wade, EVI CEO, said the area has had issues with the supply of
charging stations not meeting the demand of EVs. Takoma Park had just two
chargers, one in a community center parking lot and the other at a street
location.
“They were fully utilized throughout the day; people were lining up,” Wade
said. “The city was happy they were being used, but then they said, ‘Wait,
no one can get in this parking lot, because these taxis are using these
chargers.’”
Wade says the gas station layout, which is designed for flow traffic, will
help alleviate that problem.
The station will feature four dispensers that connect to a high-powered,
200kW system. The system will allow four vehicles to charge simultaneously
and reach 80% battery charge in 20 to 30 minutes. Drivers can go inside and
sit in an automated convenience store with screens that allow drivers to
track their vehicle’s charging progress.
“Maryland is proud to be a national leader when it comes to clean and
renewable energy, climate change and the promotion of electric
infrastructure and vehicles,” said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in a release.
“This fully converted gas-to-electric charging station is a prime example of
our administration’s commitment to the environment and transportation.”
There are various approaches to EV charging infrastructure being rolled out
across the U.S.
Elon Musk’s Tesla has over 1,600 charging stations for its car owners across
the country, and a total of near-15,000 chargers. Tesla had in the past
offered EV charging for free to new car owners, but now charges for the
service. It also offers the Powerwall system that allows car owners to
generate and store electricity, and charge their Tesla, at home.
Some of the big automakers have developed their own EV charging business
models. Volkswagen funded Electrify
