Skip to main content

Ice cream and EV fast charging? United Dairy Farmers is bringing both to Ohio

An ice cream stop could soon double as a fast-charging stop for EV drivers in Ohio. Family-owned United Dairy Farmers (UDF) is adding its first DC fast chargers at six of its 170 stores, with openings expected to begin in early 2027.

UDF selected some of its newest stores, which offer food, indoor and outdoor seating, and wifi. Drivers will also be able to redeem U-Drive Plus loyalty credits toward charging and earn more through qualifying store purchases.

Exact charging speeds, connector types, port counts, and prices weren’t disclosed, but the ice cream chain and convenience store will likely use Electric Era‘s 400-kW chargers to meet Ohio’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) guidelines. UDF applied for NEVI funding for six locations across Greater Cincinnati and Columbus and was awarded all six.

The sites are located at:

Advertisement - scroll for more content
  • Hilliard: 5171 Riggins Road
  • Lebanon: 890 Columbus Avenue
  • Mason: 5261 Kings Mills Road
  • Maineville: 6643 OH-48
  • Cincinnati: 11610 Lebanon Road
  • Cincinnati: 5275 Beechmont Avenue

Electric Era combines grid electricity with onsite batteries to reduce peak demand and support charging where grid capacity is limited.

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

UDF will announce individual opening dates for its fast chargers and use demand and customer feedback to help decide what expansion will look like.

Read more: Ohio drops $51M on 64 new EV charging sites – here’s where they’ll go


If you’ve ever considered going solar, make it easy by finding a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing by checking out EnergySage. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online, and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michelle Lewis Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.