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:

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.