Tesla’s talks with this company could redefine the fuel station market in the US as we know it says The Washington Post.
One of the biggest problems for electric cars is encouraging adoption among drivers who may be skeptical about refueling. What if you run out of battery and there isn't a charging station for miles around? Although this isn't much of an issue for daily commuters who can fill up their electric vehicles (EVs) at home every night, it's a much bigger deal for long-haul trips.
To help address that problem, Tesla is in talks with a major gas station and convenience store chain that could vastly expand the EV-maker's network of charging stations — and reduce the likelihood of its customers getting stranded someplace on an hours-long drive.
The chain in question, Sheetz, operates hundreds of retail outlets across six states, mostly in the mid-Atlantic region. It does nearly $7 billion in business every year. It already has eight locations where EV owners can charge their non-Tesla cars, scattered throughout Pennsylvania and North Carolina. And now it could add Tesla's charging infrastructure to the mix.
"We've had discussions with them about putting their chargers in our stores," confirmed Michael Lorenz, Sheetz's executive vice president of petroleum supply, in an interview. "We haven't done anything yet, but we're continuing those discussions."
Tesla declined to comment on the negotiations with Sheetz, but acknowledged in a statement that it is actively courting gas stations, hotels and restaurants in its bid to install high-speed electric chargers across the country. Lorenz declined to say how many Sheetz stations may ultimately be outfitted with Tesla chargers.
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