- The first gas station exclusive to electric vehicles in the U.S. is now open in Takoma Park, Maryland.
- Charging station infrastructure is a hinderance to the growth of electric cars.
- The station’s owner has no idea if it will be a success or not, but is excited to try.
The U.S. has its first fully converted, gas-to-electric refueling and service station for electric vehicles (EVs). Located on the Maryland/Washington, D.C. border, the station’s owner hopes it will spur environmental action in the region.
The station, based in Takoma Park, Maryland, will feature four dispensers connected to a high-powered 200kW system. Operating at peak capacity, it will allow four vehicles to charge up to around 80 precent of their batteries in 20 to 30 minutes. While drivers are powering up, they’ll be able to wait in an automated convenience store.
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On paper, Maryland isn’t the most obvious fit to be the first testing ground for an all-EV gas station. The state ranks 12th in the country in EV purchases, according to data from the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers, with a little over 9,500 sold between 2017 and 2018. And while Maryland has seen an impressive 94.17 percent growth in sales over that time, it’s still behind some states with smaller populations, like Colorado.
But profit doesn’t seem to be a powerful motivator for owner Depeswar Doley, who has owned a full service repair and maintenance facility called RS Automotive since 1997.
“It’s good for the environment,” Doley tells CNN. “I’m not doing this just to nickel and dime, thinking about how much money I’m going to make—no. I know this is a good cause, and this is something new. What I’m doing, maybe it will encourage other businesses owners and encourage the electric car business.”
After a public official first asked Doley about the idea, he was inspired to bite the bullet once his then-teenage daughter encouraged him to pursue it. Doley’s daughter’s enthusiasm isn’t surprising, as young people around the world have been trying to promote environmentalism in the face of global warming, most recently in an international school strike.
Beyond symbolism, it appears that the station, which is jointly funded by the Electric Vehicle Institute (EVI) and the Maryland Energy Administration could be filling a legitimate need. Takoma Park, where the station is located, has been struggling with just two charging stations.
“They were fully utilized throughout the day; people were lining up,” says Matthew Wade, EVI CEO, speaking to CNBC. “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.’”
Infrastructure is an ongoing challenge for electric vehicles. Tesla, for example, has attempted to fill the void with more than 1,600 charging stations for its customers.
The state of Maryland seems to be pleased with the development.
“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 Governor Larry Hogan in a press release. “This fully converted gas-to-electric charging station is a prime example of our administration’s commitment to the environment and transportation.”
Doley remains unsure of the station’s fate. But he’s excited for the ride.
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“This thing is so new, we don’t know what’s going to happen,” he tells CNN. “It might flop, or it might work out—we have no clue at all. We’re just crossing our fingers, and in the back of my mind, I know this is something good for the environment.”
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