01/06/21;
Convenience Store News
Photograph courtesy of 7-Eleven
IRVING, Texas — 7‑Eleven Inc. is working to build at least 500 direct current fast charging (DCFC) ports for electric vehicles at 250 select U.S. and Canadian convenience stores by the end of 2022.
Owned and operated by 7‑Eleven, the new DCFC ports will increase charging options for EV drivers by adding to the company’s existing 22 charging stations located at 14 stores in four states. Once this expansion is complete, the company will have one of the largest and most compatible fast-charging systems 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 Joe DePinto, president and CEO of 7‑Eleven. “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.”
Additionally, the company recently pledged to meet a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030. 7‑Eleven set its original sustainability goals in 2016, in which the company planned to achieve a 20% reduction of CO2 emissions from its stores by 2027. Instead, 7‑Eleven reached this 20% reduction goal in 2019, eight years ahead of schedule. This CO2 reduction equals the carbon sequestered by more than 349,000 acres of U.S. forests in one year, the company said.
7‑Eleven is improving its sustainability by seeking renewable energy solutions for its stores across the country. The company is purchasing 100% wind energy for more than 800 Texas stores and more than 300 Illinois stores. Additional renewable energy purchases include 150 stores using hydropower in Virginia, as well as 300 Florida stores powered by solar energy.
“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.”
The company said it will announced additional details about its environmental, social and governance strategy later this year.
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