Volvo Car USA to Establish First Public EV Charging Network at Starbucks Locations

Volvo Car USA and Starbucks collaborated to establish the first public electric-vehicle charging network at the coffee company’s U.S. stores beginning this summer, powered by ChargePoint.

Volvo Car USA will install as many as 60 Volvo-branded ChargePoint DC fast chargers at up to 15 Starbucks locations along a 1,350-mile route from the Denver area to the coffee company’s Seattle headquarters. Plans include a charging place about every 100 miles, well within the battery range of most electric vehicles.

The effort could make charging Volvo pure electric models as easy as Starbucks.

For example, ChargePoint’s DC fast chargers can bring the Volvo C40 Recharge from a 20 per cent to a 90 per cent charge in about 40 minutes*. While their cars are recharging outside, drivers and passengers can relax comfortably inside with their favourite Starbucks beverage.

Drivers of Volvo Recharge models with Google embedded can use the ChargePoint app integrated into their vehicle’s in-dash system. Other drivers can tell us the ChargePoint smartphone app to find and access the ChargePoint charging stations at participating Starbucks locations.

While all EV drivers will be able to use these stations for a fee, drivers of Volvo Cars will get the added benefit of having access to these stations at no charge or preferential rates.

“We are thrilled to partner with Volvo Cars to test how we can charge our customers’ electric vehicles at Starbucks stores, said Michael Kobori, Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks. “Imagine a future where Starbucks helps our customers to connect—-more sustainably.”

Installations on the route are expected to be complete by the end of 2022, giving EV drivers travelling between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest a string of familiar, reliable, clean and safe places to recharge themselves and their battery-powered vehicles.

“Volvo Cars wants to give people the freedom to move and lower their impact on the environment,” said Anders Gustafsson, Sr. Vice President Americas and President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Working with Starbucks, we can do that by giving them enjoyable places to relax while their cars recharge.”

Just as Volvo Cars plans to be a fully electric car company by 2030, Starbucks aspires to lead the retail industry in decarbonisation solutions, including Electric Vehicle charging and onsite solar availability at stores and adjacent locations. Starbucks plans to expand its solar pilot locations to 55 new stores this year.

“ChargePoint is enabling accessible EV charging opportunities anywhere drivers need it,” said Pasquale Romano, President and CEO of ChargePoint. “We’re excited to support Volvo Cars’ road to electrification and help provide a premium driving experience for its customers to plan to charge stops around their favourite Starbucks locations in select west coast destinations.”

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