To attract more customers and meet demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging, many fast-food chains are installing chargers at restaurants.
Key Details
- Convenience store chain 7-Eleven has recently released its own fast-charging EV network called 7Charge at locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The chargers have Level 3 equipment—also known as DC chargers—and can provide about 125 miles of charge in 30 minutes.
- Sandwich restaurant Subway plans to launch an EV “oasis” equipped with charging stations, playgrounds, food, and other amenities in a partnership with infrastructure startup GenZ EV Solutions.
- Other restaurants, such as Taco Bell, are also adding EV charging stations, with one franchisee installing 100 EV chargers at restaurants in California.
Why it’s news
EVs make up around 6% of new vehicle sales, but the nation lacks a robust charging infrastructure.
To keep up with the demand and push more people to buy EVs, President Joe Biden passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will give states $5 billion over the next five years for highway chargers and $2.5 billion in grants for other community charging sites to create a nationwide network.
In the meantime, EV owners need a place to charge, and many restaurants and convenience stores are racing to supply the needed electricity.
Popular convenience store chain 7-Eleven recently announced its charging network called 7Charge. EV users can go to the convenience store and charge their vehicles. The price will be based on the energy they consume or the time they spend charging, depending on the local regulations.
The 7-Eleven chargers will be able to be used by many EVs, including Teslas, but the vehicles will need an adapter to use the stations.
Sandwich making shop Subway is adding EV chargers to some of its restaurants with plans to add larger “oasis” destinations in the future.
The oasis facilities will capitalize on what current EV charging destinations lack—amenities. The oasis will have playgrounds, picnic tables, and other offerings to enjoy while waiting for the vehicle to finish charging.
It can take up to a few hours for an EV to charge, and most people result in sitting in their car or getting a bite to eat as they wait for their vehicle to charge. With the charging networks at both 7-Eleven and Subway, users can get out, stretch, and eat at the stores allowing for another source of income besides the initial price of charging.