Wawa, a major U.S. convenience store and gas station chain with over 1,000 locations, is shifting from a longtime Supercharger host to a Supercharger owner.
The company has now begun installing its own Superchargers in Florida, starting with a new 16-stall site in Alachua as part of Tesla’s new Supercharger for Business program.
Until now, Wawa has been what you might consider a super-host for Tesla Superchargers with 2,115 stalls across 223 stores, according to stats shared by Supercharger lead Max de Zegher. This partnership has been hugely successful for both sides, giving Tesla prime, high-traffic locations and giving Wawa a steady stream of EV drivers who often grab food, drinks, and snacks while charging.
Now the company is moving from host to owner-operator, directly investing in charging hardware and capturing the charging revenue itself, rather than simply collecting lease payments. According to Tesla’s website, plugging in costs $0.37/kWh for Tesla and non-Tesla owners.
Owning the Superchargers gives Wawa far more control over pricing, expansion speed, and long-term strategy. It also signals that large retailers increasingly see fast charging not just as an amenity, but as a core part of their business model — one that drives foot traffic, increases dwell time, and boosts in-store sales.
For Tesla, this approach also scales the network faster.
Instead of funding every new Supercharger location itself, Tesla can lean on partners like Wawa to build and operate sites that still meet Tesla’s hardware and reliability standards, while expanding coverage in key corridors.
Related Stories:
• Wawa takes advantage of proximity to Orlando Supercharger by offering free delivery to stalls
• First Tesla Supercharger for Business site opens in Florida
• Tesla Opens “Supercharger for Business” Program, Letting Companies Buy and Host Their Own Chargers
