IRVING, Texas — A 7-Eleven convenience store in West Sacramento, Calif., is the site of the first public electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers installed through the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E).
- 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2021 Top 40 update to the Top 202 ranking of c-stores by store count.
Drivers can charge their vehicles at the four new advanced 125kW-capable EV fast chargers. This 7-Eleven store operates 24 hours a day and supports the fueling needs of both EVs and conventional cars, both options owned and operated by 7-Eleven.
PG&E is also working with 7-Eleven to install fast chargers at additional locations, the power company said.
“7-Eleven has been around for over 90 years, providing customers with convenient and innovative products and services,” said Ann Scott, senior director of energy engineering and store planning for the Irving, Texas based retailer. “We are always trying to think about new ways to add better service to our customers. With more electric vehicles on the road, installing the fast-charging stations was an obvious way to offer convenient charging to customers who need it while also taking strides to reduce our impact on the environment. 7-Eleven prides itself in collaborating with other companies who have the same vision to find mutually beneficial solutions for our customers, our business, and the environment. We look forward to adding more EV charging stations to more 7-Eleven stores over the next few years.”
Fast chargers potentially can add hundreds of miles of range in as little as 30 minutes, compared to Level 2 chargers that fuel a car in several hours, said PG&E.
California aims to have 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2030 as well as 250,000 charging stations, including 10,000 fast chargers. Additionally, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in September 2020 that will prohibit the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles after 2035. EVs are four times more efficient than diesel and natural gas engines and offer significant fuel cost savings.
“Expanding the use of electric vehicles is essential for California to achieve its bold climate and clean-air goals. PG&E is excited to collaborate with an iconic retailer like 7-Eleven. Working with customers such as 7-Eleven, PG&E has been an active partner in helping make EVs an option for millions of Californians, including by increasing EV charging options across our service area. Reducing vehicle emissions is good for our state and good for the environment," said Laurie Giammona, PG&E senior vice president and chief customer officer.
EV drivers looking for fast charging can locate the West Sacramento 7-Eleven chargers on websites including PlugShare as well as through PG&E’s EV Savings Calculator. Additionally, on PG&E’s tool, customers who are considering purchasing or leasing an EV can compare cars and evaluate total cost of ownership of an EV compared to gasoline-powered cars.
San Francisco-based PG&E is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California.
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