If you need a gallon of milk, a quart of oil or simply just want a Slurpee, you head to 7-Eleven. Now you can charge your electric vehicle while mixing your Coke and Cherry Slurpee flavors together.
The convenience store chain is adding 500 fast chargers at 250 locations in the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2022. That’s a more than 20x increase from the 22 charging stations it current offers at 14 stores in four states.
“7‑Eleven has always been a leader in new ideas and technology to better serve the needs of our customers,” said 7‑Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto.
“Adding 500 charging ports at 250 7‑Eleven stores will make EV charging more convenient and help accelerate broader adoption of EVs and alternative fuels. We are committed to the communities we serve and to working toward a more sustainable future.”
Cutting carbon emissions
Installing the fast chargers is part of 7-Eleven’s plans to reduce its carbon emissions 50% by 2030. The company set ambitious and measurable sustainability goals in 2016 as part of the company’s commitment to operating a globally sustainable business.
To help address the challenge created by climate change, the company planned to achieve a 20% reduction of carbon emissions from its stores by 2027. Instead, 7‑Eleven reached this 20% reduction goal in 2019, eight years ahead of schedule. This carbon reduction equals the carbon sequestered by more than 349,000 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
The company is moving to power thousands of stores using alternative energy sources, including more than 800 stores in Texas with wind power, 150 stores in Virginia with hydropower and more than 300 locations in Florida will use solar power.
“7‑Eleven’s legacy is bringing convenience to the customer, and that continues to evolve – from ice on a dock in 1927 to electricity for your car today,” said DePinto. “7‑Eleven’s rapid expansion of EV charging ports across the country is good for our customers and our planet and it’s the right thing to do.”
Looking to jump on the EV bandwagon
The chain’s plans show the acceptance of electric vehicles is growing. It represents an opportunity in many areas, including the installation of charging stations as potential buyers still list range anxiety as one of their top concerns.
President Joe Biden is helping to lead the charge to acceptance of electric vehicles. Biden wants $174 billion, including not only as buyer incentives but also to back a nationwide network of 500,000 public quick chargers.
