EVs Are Here To Stay, So Sayeth Royal Farms

The article discusses Royal Farms’ strategic investment in expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure despite the impending expiration of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit. While EV sales have surged ahead of the credit’s end, there is uncertainty about whether this momentum will continue. Royal Farms, a convenience store chain, appears confident in the long-term growth of EVs, as evidenced by its ongoing installation of EV charging stations. The company currently operates 76 charging ports at 23 locations in Maryland and Delaware through a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) partnership with Blink Energy and recently announced plans to add 55 more “Hyper-Fast” charging ports at eight Maryland sites. The article highlights the evolving convenience of EV charging, countering past criticisms about slow and unreliable charging infrastructure. Improvements in charging speed, reliability, and the proliferation of public chargers have made EV charging more compatible with the convenience store model, where drivers can shop or rest while their vehicles charge. Royal Farms and Electrify America emphasize