The convenience store chain wants to have the largest fast-charging network of any retailer in North America.
Multinational convenience store giant 7-Eleven has announced the advent of 7Charge, a new charging network that's aimed at making the lives of American EV owners easier than ever before.
Billed as a “convenient and reliable fast-charging experience,” the stations will be made available at various 7-Eleven stores in the United States, with plans to expand to Canada. The company wants to build one of the largest fast-charging networks of any retailer in North America, and the service is already available in California, Colorado, Florida, and Texas.
“For over 95 years, 7-Eleven has innovated to meet our customers' needs – delivering convenience where, when, and how they want it. [We] are innovating once again by expanding our business to provide EV drivers [the] convenience of the future today,” said CEO Joe DePinto.
The company says the 7Charge sites will enable owners of any EV (be it a BMW i7 or Hyundai Ioniq 5) to charge at the facilities, provided they are compatible with common CHAdeMO or Combined Charging System (CCS) plug types. Customers can already download the 7Charge app from Google Play or the App Store.
A highlight of the upcoming charging network – according to 7-Eleven, at least – is that EV charging will be made available in neighborhoods that previously did not have access to charging facilities. This remains a problem in America, especially as electric cars become more common.
Those in non-traditional living situations may struggle to install a home-charging system and have to depend on public sites. These conveniently located sites will make it a lot easier for EV owners in this position and could encourage more to buy electric vehicles.
The project is still in its early stages, but 7-Eleven says it will have one of the largest “and most compatible fast-charging networks of any retailer in North America” once the expansion is completed. These charging stations will eventually make their way to the Speedway and Stripes stores.
Last year, Starbucks announced it would install EV chargers at 15 locations situated between Denver and Seattle, where the coffee company's headquarters are based. Swedish furniture company Ikea has embarked on a similar project and plans to introduce fast chargers at 25 stores across 18 states.
It's a big investment for companies, but it will stand them in good stead as EVs become even more popular. In Missouri, certain business owners are fighting against a proposed mandate that would force them to install chargers in front of their premises.
Keyword: 7-Eleven Is Building Its Own Electric Vehicle Charging Network