Determined to be the go-to place for both heat-roller hot dogs and environmental motoring, the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores will add 500 DC Fast Charging ports at 250 locations around the U.S. and Canada by the end 2022.
The company already operates 22 charging stations at 14 stores in the U.S. but it hopes that this expansion will give it the largest and most compatible fast-charging network of any retailer in the U.S.
“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.”
Read Also: Audi’s Charging Hub Could Be The ‘Gas’ Station Of The Future
The move is part of a wider commitment 7-Eleven is making to reduce its environmental impact. In 2016, it said that it would reduce its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2027. According to the company, that would account for the same amount of CO2 sequestered by 349,000 acres of forest per year. The company managed to make the reduction by 2019, though, which has led it to double down on its environmental goals, and it has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.
Indeed, the brand is buying 100% wind energy for its 800+ locations across Texas and its 300+ stores in Illinois. It has also strived to find other alternative energy supplies (hydro and solar mostly) at stores in other states.
“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.”
