Ice cream and charging: UDF plans 6 fast-charging sites in Ohio

United Dairy Farmers, the family-owned Ohio chain built on milk and ice cream, is stepping into EV charging. Electrek reports that UDF plans to add DC fast chargers at six of its 170 stores, with the first stations expected to open in early 2027.

The selected stores are among UDF's newest, offering food, indoor and outdoor seating, and wifi. Drivers will be able to use U-Drive Plus loyalty credits toward charging and earn more credits through qualifying in-store purchases. Exact charging speeds, connector types, port counts, and prices haven't been disclosed, but Electrek reports the chain will likely use Electric Era's 400-kW chargers to meet Ohio's NEVI requirements. UDF applied for NEVI funding for all six locations, split across Greater Cincinnati and Columbus, and was awarded every one.

Electric Era's system combines grid electricity with onsite batteries to reduce peak demand, which can help when the local grid can't supply enough power for fast charging. That battery buffer is a smart move for a convenience chain that wants to avoid costly demand charges.

"We've always believed UDF should evolve alongside our guests, and this is another step in doing that," Jim Dwenger, UDF's head of retail, told Electrek.

UDF will announce individual opening dates as they firm up and says it will use customer feedback and charging demand to decide whether to expand the program to more stores. For now, it's a six-site pilot with a familiar brand name that could make charging a little sweeter for Ohio drivers.

• Electric Era
• EV charging
• fast charging
• NEVI
• Ohio
• United Dairy Farmers