It’s hard to get excited about gas stations, but Buc-ee’s has developed a cult-like following. The company has also grabbed headlines for opening the world’s largest gas station, which has 120 pumps, more than 350 employees, and a store that spans 74,000 square feet (6,875 square meters).
Mercedes is looking to tap into that excitement by announcing a strategic agreement, which will see the automaker build charging hubs at most of Buc-ee’s existing locations. Work is already underway and a handful of hubs are slated to open before the end of the year. Mercedes went on to say roughly 30 charging sites are scheduled to welcome electric vehicle owners by the end of 2024.
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While there’s no word on specific locations at this point, Mercedes-Benz HPC North America said the partnership expands the “EV charging map in North America through a ‘value-based approach’ by building charging hubs where EV drivers are and where they are going.” The company went on to say Buc-ee’s is an ideal partner as they have travel centers along “key transit corridors in the South and Southeast, including the Texas Triangle, I-75, and I-95.”
While location is important, Buc-ee’s go far beyond the typical gas station. Besides having some of the “most pristine highway rest facilities in the world,” Buc-ee’s is famous for food as customers love to gobble down Beaver Nuggets. Shoppers can also pick up some fudge or munch on glazed nuts.
Mercedes-Benz HPC N.A. CEO Andrew Cornelia said their collaboration with Buc-ee’s “represents an important moment in our pursuit of a national charging network that sets a new standard in both convenience and quality.” He added it will not only provide exceptional value, but a better charging experience as well.
