Wawa Launches Its Own EV Charging Network in Florida

Your favorite spot for hoagies and coffee is going all-in on electric vehicles. Wawa just launched its first self-owned EV charging station in Alachua, Florida, transforming from a charging host into a charging network operator.

The new station features 16 ultra-fast chargers that can power up vehicles at 325 kilowatts. That's enough to add hundreds of miles of range in the time it takes to grab lunch inside.

Wawa partnered with Tesla's Supercharger for Business program to make it happen. Tesla handles the installation and maintenance while Wawa sets the prices and owns the equipment. The current rate sits at 37 cents per kilowatt-hour.

This isn't Wawa's first rodeo with EV charging. The chain has hosted Tesla chargers for over a decade and currently operates more than 2,100 charging stalls across 223 stores. That makes it Tesla's biggest host partner in the country.

But owning the chargers changes the game entirely. Now Wawa controls the customer experience from curb to counter.

The Ripple Effect

Wawa's move signals something bigger happening across America's convenience store landscape. Regional rival Sheetz is making similar investments, and both chains are redesigning their stores with EV drivers in mind.

They're adding comfortable seating areas where drivers can relax during charging sessions. The bet is simple: if people spend 20 minutes charging their car, they'll likely spend money inside the store.

The economics make sense despite the hefty upfront costs. A single fast charger runs about $100,000 to install. Charging fees alone generate modest returns, but the real profit comes from food and beverage sales to captive customers.

Wawa operates over 1,200 stores across 14 states and Washington, DC. The company hasn't revealed how many more self-owned charging stations it plans to open, but the Florida site suggests this is just the beginning.

The strategy reflects a fundamental shift in American road culture. Gas station visits take five minutes, but charging stops can take 20 to 40 minutes. That extra time creates opportunities for businesses willing to invest in better customer experiences.

As more Americans switch to electric vehicles, the companies that adapt fastest will likely win big. Wawa is proving that the future of convenience stores might look a lot different than their past—and a whole lot cleaner too.