7-Eleven Inc recently announced 7Charge, its new, proprietary EV charging network and app that delivers a convenient and reliable fast-charging experience at select 7 Eleven stores in the United States, and soon in Canada.
Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises, and licenses more than 13,000 stores in the States and Canada. The company claims that 7Charge will bring a new level of accessibility and convenience to EV drivers.
The convenience-retailing giant intends to build one of the largest and most compatible EV fast-charging networks of any retailer in North America. Currently, 7Charge is already delivering fast-charging services to customers in several locations in Florida, Texas, Colorado, and California.
CHAdeMO or CCS-compatible
The 7Charge network will offer EV drivers 7-Eleven’s trademark convenience and accessibility. The charging sites allow customers to charge any EV make and model compatible with common CHAdeMO or combined charging system (CCS) plug types (provided a driver has a CCS or CHAdeMO adapter). Also, the 7Charge app offers new convenience and coordination to customers looking for a seamless charging and payment experience.
“For over 95 years, 7-Eleven has innovated to meet our customers’ needs—delivering convenience where, when, and how they want it,” said Joe DePinto, president and chief executive officer at 7-Eleven. “Now, we are innovating once again to meet our customers where they are by expanding our business to provide EV drivers the convenience of the future, today.”
The 7Charge network will address the growing consumer need for EV charging infrastructure. By expanding the 7Charge network while continuing to utilize third-party fast-charging network options, 7-Eleven will have the ability to grow its network to match consumer demand and make EV charging available to neighborhoods that have, until now, lacked access.
Once the network’s expansion is complete, 7-Eleven will have one of the largest and most compatible fast-charging networks of any retailer in North America, serving communities and customers at charging stations across its entire family of brands, including Speedway and Stripes stores.
7-Eleven eyes 50% CO2 reduction by 2030
Meanwhile, 7-Eleven has taken big steps to reduce its impact on the environment, strategically investing in several energy and environmental initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste and consumption of resources. Its goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from stores by 50% by 2030.
Its energy and environmental initiatives include:
o Over 7,400 stores use LED lighting (as of December 2020), helping to reduce energy consumption;
o Commitment to purchase 100% Texas wind energy for over 800 stores in competitive markets and 100% wind energy for 300 Illinois stores. Additional renewable energy purchases include 150 stores using hydropower in Virginia and 300 Florida stores powered by solar energy;
o Membership in the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s Retail Sustainability Initiative (RSI), an industry-wide educational forum for the largest US retailers. It brings members together to share leading practices, identify future trends, benchmark with peers, and collaborate on common environmental and social governance challenges;
o Joining the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) in 2021. REBA brings together over 200 stakeholders from the commercial and industrial sectors, nonprofit organizations, and energy and energy service providers, with the vision and mission to create a resilient, zero-carbon energy system where every organization has a viable, expedient, and cost-effective pathway to renewable energy;
o Standardizing its refrigerated cases in the United States, Canada, and Japan with Solstice N40 to further its environmental and social governance goals. The Solstice Awards recognize companies that demonstrate their commitment to sustainable air conditioning and refrigeration by adopting refrigerants based on their proprietary Solstice technology to maximize efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. (Story and photo courtesy of 7-Eleven Inc)