GREENWOOD, Ind. - Yesterday Murphy USA opened the first Level 3 quick-charge electric vehicle (EV) recharging station in Indiana at their Greenwood location at 1235 N Emerson Avenue. The Level 3 charging unit is expected to fully recharge an electric vehicle in 20 minutes.
The installation is part of Murphy USA??s pilot program to test the feasibility of EV charging at retail. Murphy USA was joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by executives from Walmart, Eaton Corporation, Nissan, Mitsubishi, ESN, Barth Electric, Indianapolis Power & Light and several government officials.
"The public discussion surrounding the role of electric vehicles in our transportation future continues," said Murphy USA Vice President of Operations Angelos Lambis. "Unfortunately, this important conversation often ignores the critical role of the fuel marketer ?" to provide the public with the safe, convenient, and reliable fuels that they have come to expect. Murphy USA??s e-charge initiative seeks to inform the discussion by continuing our longstanding mission ?" to listen to and serve our customers what they want."
As automobile manufacturers and consumers begin to consider alternative fueling options for their vehicles, retailers need to evaluate which fuels make sense for their communities. NACS released a white paper earlier this year evaluating the U.S. Energy Information Administration??s projections for various fuels. NACS believes it is critical that the convenience and fuels retailing industry takes a critical look at a variety of options.
"Murphy USA??s investment in electric vehicle recharging is an important step in helping the industry and consumers better understand the options that exist," said NACS Vice President of Government Relations John Eichberger. "Over the next couple of decades, a variety of new transportation energy solutions will be developed and brought to market. As retailers like Murphy USA provide their customers with options, consumers will be able to decide which energy solutions will shape the future.
"Last month, Kwik Trip in LaCrosse, Wisconsin held a ribbon cutting ceremony on their natural gas fleet refueling center. Their investment in this technology is another demonstration of industry leadership to provide consumers with options," Eichberger continued.
NACS will continue its work in Washington to pave the way for retailers to make legitimate business decisions concerning which fuels they want to offer their customers, whether it be electricity, natural gas, biofuels or traditional petroleum based products. NACS wants to eliminate the unreasonable regulatory barriers that stand in the way of fuel innovation and allow the market to work.