Love’s Travel Stops will expand ethanol fuel infrastructure and add electric vehicle charging stations at several locations.
The Oklahoma-based company will provide 245 E-15 dispensers and ethanol storage tanks at 38 locations and increase the amount of ethanol sold by about 32.5 million gallons per year. Love’s will receive a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program for the programs.
The program aims to increase the sales and use of higher capacity ethanol and biodiesel blends by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels from the country’s agricultural products.
Kenneth Corn, director of rural development at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, made the announcement this month.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris have made historic investments that will not only put more money in the pockets of Oklahomans, but will also help secure our energy independence by producing clean energy and fuels right here in the heartland of America,” Corn said in the press release.
Love’s also provides additional electric vehicle chargers in 19 states, including Oklahoma, according to a press release.
The company has begun building next-generation charging stations in some New York stores, and plans to build new charging stations in Oklahoma and other states next year. The company plans to build seven new charging stations in Oklahoma, according to a map provided by the company.
Officials say there will be space for electric vehicle charging stations at the new Love’s Travel Stops, so local utilities can work with the company to install them if needed. The company received state and federal grants from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formal Program to fund the infrastructure.
Shane Wharton, president of Love’s, said in a press release that the investment strengthens the company’s commitment to meeting customer needs.
“Love’s is honored to play a critical role in actively shaping and expanding the electric vehicle fast charging network across the country,” said Shane Wharton, President of Love’s. “Expanding the electric vehicle charging network is nothing new for us, as we entered the electric vehicle space in 2017 and have been steadily expanding the network since then. We now offer more than 100 chargers in 28 stores across 11 states.”
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