7‑Eleven has rolled out 7Charge, its new, proprietary electric-vehicle (EV) charging network and app that it say “delivers a convenient and reliable fast-charging experience.” It is available at select U.S. 7-Eleven convenience stores and will be available soon in Canada.
The retailer said it intends to build one of the “largest and most compatible” EV fast-charging networks of any retailer in North America. It has launched 7Charge in several locations in Florida, Texas, Colorado and California.
It will eventually be available across 7-Eleven’s entire family of brands including Speedway and Stripes stores, it said.
7Charge 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.
The 7Charge app offers convenience and coordination to customers looking for a seamless charging and payment experience, the company said.
“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 CEO at Irving, Texas-based 7‑Eleven. “Now, we are innovating once again to meet our customers' where they are by expanding our business to provide EV drivers convenience of the future ... today.”
- 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2023 Top 40 update to the 2022 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
By expanding the 7Charge network while continuing to use 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, it said.
7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 72,800 convenience stores in 17 countries and regions, including about 13,000 in the United States, including about 9,500 under the 7-Eleven banner, around 3,800 under the Speedway banner and about 500 under the Stripes flag, as well as the Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits brands.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.