Buc-ee's to get EV charging stations in Mercedes-Benz partnership. When Florida get them?

Millions of people visit the massive, insanely popular gas station/convenience store Buc-ee's every year to fill up their tanks. And soon they'll be able to charge their electric vehicles while they grab some Beaver Nuggets and jerky, including possibly this year in Florida.

German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz announced in November a partnership with Buc-ee's to launch a network of premium EV charging stations at most existing Buc-ee's locations as part of an ambitious plan to spread a high-speed EV charging network across North America.

In a release, Mercedes-Benz said they chose the Texas-based gas station chain because, “Buc-ee's locations are the world's most-loved travel centers located strategically along key travel corridors and EV charging deserts – where customers are going.”

Here's what you need to know.

When will Buc-ee's have EV charging stations?

According to Mercedes-Benz, work has already begun and some charging hubs will be ready by the end of this year.

"Mercedes-Benz will build charging hubs at most Buc-ee’s existing travel centers, starting with about 30 by the end of 2024," the release said, including stores in Texas, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Depending on region and location, the hubs will offer 4 to 12, and potentially up to 30 high-power chargers (HPC).

When will Florida get EV charging stations at Buc-ee's?

Neither Mercedes-Benz or Bucee's have yet provided a list or a schedule. But Mercedes-Benz has its eye on "key transit corridors" including I-95, and it's worth noting that both Florida Buc-ee's, the one in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, are adjacent to the highway.

"Buc-ee’s travel centers provide value to EV drivers through their strategic placement along key transit corridors in the South and Southeast," the release said, "including the Texas Triangle, I-75 and I-95, in addition to high-quality amenities like freshly prepared food and beverages, souvenirs, friendly service, and the most pristine highway rest facilities in the world."

The company plans to get the full network in place by the end of the decade when it intends to go all-electric "wherever market conditions allow."

How fast will the Buc-ee's charging hubs be?

Mercedes-Benz announced in January its plans to deploy more than 10,000 fast chargers around the world as part of a $1 billion financial commitment in conjunction with MN8 Energy, with more than 2.500 DC fast chargers at more than 400 sites around the U.S. by 2027. The first one was established at the company's U.S. headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia in November.

The hubs in the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network will offer chargers of up to 400W, with intelligent charging management systems to alow certain EVs to charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes, the company said, "enough time to enjoy a coffee," for applicable vehicles and conditions.

Will the Buc-ee's EV charging hub work on my car?

The charging stations will work for all brands of EVs, the company said, but Mercedes-Benz customers will be able to pre-book a charging station from their car. Teslas may require a SAE J1772 adapter.

Is Mercedes-Benz adding EV chargers anywhere else?

Also in November, Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership to bring EV charging hubs to at least 55 Simon Property Group retail locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Simon Property Group is the largest shopping center manager and developer in the U.S. Among its wide-ranging portfolio are 12 locations in Florida including the Miami International Mall, the Florida Mall in Orlando, Town Center at Boca Raton, The Avenues and the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, and the Cordova Mall in Pensacola.

The company has not released a list of which Simon properties are getting EC charging hubs.

What is Buc-ee's?

Started in Texas in 1982, the Buc-ee's travel convenience superstore store chain expanded into Florida in 2021 with locations in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. Another is planned for Ocala and there may be one coming to the Treasure Coast.

Buc-ee's, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, are established along major traffic areas as travel centers. The Buc-ee's locations in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine tie for the title of largest gas station in Florida at around 53,000 square feet, about twice as big as the average Publix. The new Ocala location will have that beat at 80,000 square feet.

Buc-ee's is known for lower-priced gas at an unbelievable number of gas pumps — the Daytona and St. Augustine locations have 104 each — a wide selection of fresh hot food prepared in-house, a wide range of branded snacks and sauces, a Wall of Jerky with about 20 different flavors, a section devoted to household goods and barbecue grills, sparkling clean bathrooms, and a nearly cultlike following.

In December, construction at the Daytona Beach Buc-ee's was confirmed to be a new 235-foot-long car wash, nearly twice the national average for tunnel car washes.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Buc-ee's, Mercedes-Benz to launch electric vehicle charging network