First Fully Electric “Gas” Station Opens In The U.S.

first fully electric gas station opens in US
Ant Palmer/Getty Images
Ant Palmer/Getty Images

On September 27, 2019, the first fully electric charging station opened for vehicles in Maryland. The former gas station is the first to ever change all it's refueling pumps to charging stands. The owner of the endeavor is taking a huge risk by being the first of his kind. His name is Depesway Doley, and it was his daughter who convinced him to plug in.

The owner of RS Automotives had been tiring of the contracts forced on him by gas companies when a public city official pitched the idea. Intrigued by it and the freedom it could give him, Doley decided to talk to his family.

As soon as he brought up the plan, his teenage daughter began lecturing him about the environment. She explained how he could have a positive influence on the world around him, and he was convinced.

As Doley told CNN, "It's good for the environment. I'm not doing this just to nickel and dime, thinking about how much money I'm going to make -- no. I know this is a good cause, and this is something new. What I'm doing, maybe it will encourage other businesses owners and encourage the electric car business."

To help make his new dream come true, Doley was provided a $786,000 grant by the Maryland Energy Administration and the Electric Vehicle Institute.