Wawa and Electrify America Launch Branded EV Chargers
U.S. convenience store chain Wawa has announced a partnership with electric vehicle charging network operator Electrify America to deploy its own branded ultra-fast EV chargers at eight locations in Pennsylvania. The chargers, with a maximum power output of 400 kW, will be operated by Electrify America, marking a significant expansion of Wawa’s EV charging services. The chargers are scheduled to go live in September 2026, with specific launch dates dependent on construction progress at each store.
Under the partnership agreement, Wawa will install 400 kW chargers supporting both CCS and NACS standards at five locations: Upper Darby, Phoenixville, Media, Williamsport, and Reading. The remaining three locations—Bristol, Allentown, and Quakertown—will feature 350 kW chargers supporting only the CCS standard. Rich Makin, Wawa’s Chief Fuel and Development Officer, stated, "This deployment of branded chargers demonstrates Wawa’s commitment to meeting our customers’ diverse energy needs and delivering a seamless, reliable charging experience that enhances customer satisfaction."
Rachel Moses, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Electrify America, noted, "Our white-label charging solution enables retailers to build a charging network that aligns with their brand identity and business objectives. This collaboration with Wawa sets a new benchmark for energy services in the convenience store sector and provides customers with more convenient charging options."
Wawa’s EV Charging Expansion: History and Impact
Wawa began as an iron foundry in Pennsylvania in 1803 before evolving into a dairy company in the early 20th century. It later expanded into the convenience store business in the 1960s. Today, Wawa operates over 1,000 stores across 14 states, establishing itself as a major convenience store chain on the U.S. East Coast. Since 2017, Wawa has been rolling out EV charging infrastructure, currently offering charging services at approximately 280 locations nationwide. The addition of chargers at eight Pennsylvania stores will further strengthen its charging network.
As the electric vehicle market grows rapidly, charging infrastructure has become a critical amenity for retail and convenience store chains to attract customers. Wawa’s 400 kW ultra-fast chargers are expected to significantly reduce charging times, allowing most vehicles to reach 80% charge in just 15 to 20 minutes. This improvement in charging efficiency is anticipated to boost customer traffic and in-store sales. Industry observers note that convenience stores integrating high-power charging stations can effectively extend customer dwell time, driving sales of non-fuel products.
The partnership between Wawa and Electrify America also reflects a shift in the business model for EV charging services. Electrify America’s white-label offering allows retailers to operate charging stations under their own brand while benefiting from professional charging network support. This model has attracted interest from multiple retailers and is poised to become a mainstream choice for convenience store chains building charging networks. While Wawa has not disclosed the total investment for this deployment, the company emphasized its commitment to continuously evaluating customer demand and adjusting its charging service strategy to maintain service quality and market competitiveness.
The chargers at the eight Pennsylvania locations are expected to become operational between September 14 and September 17, 2026. Wawa stated that it will monitor customer usage and market feedback to consider further expansion of its charging network to meet long-term demand in the electric vehicle market.
