Orange to get EV dealership, travel center as Connecticut shifts to electric vehicles

ORANGE — As the state looks to shift to electric vehicles, one developer is hoping to be at the forefront of the move.

Noble Gas will build a community travel center and electric vehicle showroom and dealership in an industrial park at 88 Marsh Hill Road after the Orange Town Plan and Zoning Commission’s recent approval.

The 4.52-acre property sits near Interstate 95’s exit 41 offramp and houses a fencing contractor and floral shop. The site also contains the former headquarters of National Floral Supply, which moved its operations to Milford last year.

Officials said they expect the new hybrid fueling facility will revitalize the high-traffic area and become a popular destination for local residents through its different offerings.

“It’s more than just a gas station,” said Michael Frisbie, Noble Energy’s co-owner. With the installation of indoor seating and an outdoor patio and fireplace, Frisbie added, the center will be “more of a neighborhood community center than a travel plaza.”

The 8,384-square foot travel stop will feature a Noble gas station and EV chargers, a convenience store, an ice cream stand and a drive-thru coffee and sandwich shop, according to plans submitted by Hartford-based Noble Energy. A 23,000-square-foot EV showroom and service center will also be built.

Orange zoning officials initially denied the proposed travel center last year, fearing activity from the development would be too intense and create hazardous traffic conditions on Marsh Hill Road. The TPZC unanimously approved the plans at its Jan. 3 meeting after the town’s Traffic Authority gave a positive referral to a new traffic study submitted by Noble Energy, according to meeting minutes.

As Connecticut aims to phase out gas-powered cars, Frisbie said he wants to further educate consumers about electric vehicles, which he called the “future of transportation.”

But visitors can do more than just look and learn at the EV showroom, Frisbie said. They also can test drive and buy an EV or get their EV repaired through the business’s service center — fulfilling a “real need for the car dealerships to be more centralized,” he said. The facility is not affiliated with a particular vehicle manufacturer.

The travel center’s offerings are part of the company’s goal to be the “go-to place for people in the Orange community to get their services — gas, EV charging, dinner and ice cream,” Frisbie added.

Frisbie said he expects the project’s construction will start “sometime over the summer” and take about nine to 12 months to complete.

Orange First Selectman James Zeoli said Wednesday the travel center would bring redevelopment to an older, worn piece of property while boosting the town’s tax base.

Zeoli called Noble Energy “forward thinking” for building an EV showroom for those who might be interested in switching from petroleum to electric.

“All of those things are huge pluses,” Zeoli said. “It will be a gateway entry piece to the Town of Orange.”

Noble Energy has 14 locations in Connecticut, including one that is under development in Hamden, and another in Sturbridge, Mass, according to Frisbie, who said the family business is growing at a rate of about four stations per year.

“We’re building what we consider to be best-in-class hybrid fueling facilities,” Frisbie said. “When people look at it and say, ‘That’s just another gas station’ ... We’re much more than that.”