Dive Brief:
- Buc-ee’s will be part of a national electric vehicle charging network being built by Mercedes-Benz HPC North America, part of the electrification arm of automotive manufacturer Mercedes Benz, according to an announcement last week.
- The two companies plan to install charging stations at 30 Buc-ee's travel centers by the end of 2024. Work has already begun on several of these locations, with some expected to open by the end of this year, the companies noted.
- These plans come as Mercedes-Benz continues to grow out its EV charging network, most recently partnering with Simon Property Group to install stations at 55 retails locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Dive Insight:
By partnering with Buc-ee’s, Mercedes-Benz is aligning with a growing convenience store with a loyal following.
Buc-ee’s has spent most of this year outlining expansion plans for its first stores in states like Virginia, Louisiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Colorado and Ohio. In the midst of those expansions, the travel center chain has noted that future locations in Virginia, as well as one in Mississippi, would each feature 24 charging stations once built.
Buc-ee’s has not offered many broader details of how it plans to evolve with the EV charging revolution. But with its latest partnership with Mercedes-Benz underway, Buc-ee’s has provided some clarity.
“Within a remarkably short period, we've made significant strides towards opening several charging hubs at Buc-ee's travel centers,” Andrew Cornelia, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America, said in the announcement. “Buc-ee’s strategic locations along major travel routes, combined with their commitment to clean and accessible amenities, aligns perfectly with our vision.”
Mercedes-Benz HPC North America oversees the development and operation of Mercedes-Benz’s high-power charging network in North America. The company’s broader plans include deploying 400 charging stations and over 2,500 high-power chargers across North America by 2030.
Founded in 1982, Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s operates 46 stores across Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina.
