Ice Cream Chain United Dairy Farmers Adds EV Fast Chargers at Six Ohio Stores

A regional ice cream and convenience store chain is stepping into the electric vehicle charging business. United Dairy Farmers, a family-run operation with roughly 170 locations, has picked six of its stores to host its very first DC fast charging stations, according to the company’s plans. The first of these charging points should come online in early 2027.

The chosen sites are among UDF’s newest builds, featuring food service, seating both inside and out, and wifi access — amenities that make a charging stop more comfortable than a typical roadside break. Drivers will also be able to put U-Drive Plus loyalty credits toward charging sessions and earn additional credits through eligible in-store purchases, tying the charging experience directly into the chain’s existing rewards program.

While UDF has not shared specifics such as charging speeds, connector standards, port counts, or pricing, the company is expected to deploy Electric Era’s 400-kW charging hardware in order to satisfy Ohio’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure requirements. UDF sought NEVI funding for six sites across the Greater Cincinnati and Columbus areas and received awards for all of them.

The funded locations include Hilliard at 5171 Riggins Road, Lebanon at 890 Columbus Avenue, Mason at 5261 Kings Mills Road, Maineville at 6643 OH-48, and two Cincinnati addresses — 11610 Lebanon Road and 5275 Beechmont Avenue.

Electric Era’s approach pairs grid power with on-site battery storage, which lowers peak demand charges and enables charging in spots where the local grid may not have enough capacity on its own. That makes the technology a practical fit for a retail chain expanding into fast charging without major electrical infrastructure upgrades.

“We’ve always believed UDF should evolve alongside our guests, and this is another step in doing that,” said Jim Dwenger, who leads retail at UDF.

The chain intends to announce opening dates for each fast charger individually, and says it will rely on usage patterns and customer feedback to shape any future expansion beyond these first six sites.