When Love’s Travel Stops Loves EV Charging

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The Intertubes are practically exploding with news about the explosive growth of the EV charging network in the US this year. It’s a particularly salient development because it is happening despite the efforts of President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress to turn back the clock on zero emission mobility. Read all about the latest EV charging news here, and then read on to see where the trucker-friendly iconic US brand Love’s Travel Stops sits in all this.

EV Charging: When You’ve Lost Love’s

The red-hot pace of the US EV charging network is old news to regular readers of CleanTechnica. After Trump occupied the White House in January he summarily suspended federal NEVI funding aimed at establishing a fast-charging network along major US corridors, but it was too little, too late. One after another, leading US travel center chains and fast-food restaurants (they call them Quick Serve Restaurants nowadays) announced new plans to for EV charging stations, with some adding new locations to their existing networks.

All that anti-EV hot air blowing out of Washington, DC has not chilled the enthusiasm of high profile, branded retail chains. The roster of new charging activity includes retailers that attract plenty of conservative red-state voters and truck drivers among their customers, including Circle K as well as  Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Bojangles, and the Ireland-based newcomer Applegreen.

The game was really over when Waffle House (of the famous “Waffle House Index”) announced plans to expand its EV charging services, and now here comes Love’s Travel Stops with the hard sell.

From its headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Love’s Travel Stops sprawls out in a network of 644 locations across 42 states. “Love’s provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, fresh coffee, restaurant offerings and more,” Love’s explains on its “About Love’s” web page.

“Love’s is committed to providing customers with ‘Clean Places, Friendly Faces’ at every stop,” they add. They may want to consider updating that basic information. As the company points out elsewhere on its website, Love’s has been offering EV charging since 2017 and continues to build out its charging network.

Love’s Doubles Down On EV Charging

Until recently Love’s focused on Level 2 charging. Now the company is adding Level DC fast chargers to the mix. “EV drivers have access to 100+ chargers across 36 locations in 14 states, with new fast charging locations being added frequently through 2026,” Love’s explains.

“Our locations are built less than a mile off highways with efficient entry and exit points,” they emphasize.

In the latest news from Love’s, the company shined a spotlight on the deep red state of Alabama to draw attention to its EV charging network. The occasion was a ribbon-cutting for a new Love’s charging station in the town of Smiths Station,  along a heavily traveled corridor linking Alabama to Columbus, Georgia.

“The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) provided funding for construction of the EV charging station through its EV infrastructure program, which pays for as much as 80% of a station’s construction through grant funding,” recounts Alabama News Center, a business news service of the utility Alabama Power, which is a branch of the leading energy provider Southern Company.

Follow The Money

“Construction of more EV charging stations helps businesses. In fact, an MIT study found that businesses within a mile of EV chargers experience a notable increase in customer traffic and spending,” Alabama News Center adds. “EV owners often spend money on other goods and services while charging, and every dollar spent positively affects the local and state economy.”

You can say that again. Travel centers like Love’s are well known for their well-stocked shelves, stocked with food, souvenirs, and travel supplies among all kinds of other goods. Gasmobile drivers have to tend their pumps before dashing inside for some snacks or what-not. In contrast, EV drivers can plug in, head to the store, and wander around the aisles at their convenience.

That’s where Love’s and other leading travel centers have spotted an opportunity, leveraging app-based payments systems. “Download the Love’s Connect app to find Love’s locations with EV chargers, map your route with Route Finder, view amenities at each location, and save on snacks and drinks with mobile deals,” Love’s notes.

“No matter what you’re in the mood for, you are sure to find something your taste buds will enjoy including hot sandwiches, tacos, snacks, healthy meals, roller grill items, and hot and cold beverages,” they elaborate.

“We’ve even teamed up with some of the largest quick serve brands you are familiar with to provide a variety of fresh, delicious and fast options,” they add for good measure.

The company is also counting on EV drivers to support sales of technology products. “We know EV drivers are tech savvy, so you can tap into our free WiFi network, and if you forgot a piece of technology, our Mobile to Go Zone is stocked with the latest technologies,” they advise.

Despite its political presentation as a deep red state, Alabama is not about to hand new economic development opportunities over to neighboring states with solid charging station programs, including Georgia. “Not only is it good for EV owners to have a convenient place to charge, it’s also good for local communities because those owners eat at local restaurants, shop at local businesses and contribute to the area’s economic prosperity while their vehicles are charging,” explains ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell.

EV Charging Meets The EV Sales Moment

In the early days of public EV charging, drivers on the road could count on a less-than-pleasant experience in a corner of a parking lot, far from amenities. Now competition in the charging space is heating up, with new players like the IONNA consortium offering a staffed, comfortable, lounge-style “Rechargery” experience adjacent to their chargers.

Love’s EV pitch reflects that focus on comfort, convenience, and safety. “Our travel stops are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ease range anxiety and help you keep to your road trip schedule,” they note.

As noted by Alabama News Centers, the EV movement in the US has been suffering an onslaught of tariff slings and federal policy arrows, and yet it persists. Sales continue to grow and a fresh burst of enthusiasm is expected as GM and other automakers take advantage of low-cost LFP battery technology to offer more affordable EVs to the driving public.

Hold onto your hats. Tesla CEO Elon Musk (this guy) has hinted that the leading EV maker Tesla will throw its hat in the food-plus-charging ring, following the massive success of the new Tesla Diner in Los Angeles. Dubbed the “Cybertruck of Restaurants” by Rolling Stone, Tesla Diners could be coming soon to a neighborhood near you if all goes according to plan. Or not, as the case may be.

“Musk has reportedly hinted that the diner would serve as a model for Tesla charging stations around the country. But the multi-company entrepreneur has made similar promises about other new ideas (Underground high-speed trains? Brain chips to cure disease? New political parties?) that have yet to come to fruition,” observes the trade news organization Restaurant Business.

Thoughts? Drop a note in the comment thread.

Photo (cropped): Love’s Travel Stops has been installing EV charging stations since 2017, and they are prepping for a fresh burst of charging activity as EV sales continue to rise (courtesy of Love’s).