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As part of the companies’ commitment to a sustainable future, Volvo Cars and Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) have announced the first Starbucks stores where new electric vehicle (EV) chargers powered by ChargePoint (NYSE:CHPT) will be available to customers and members of the public.

Four chargers have been installed and are slated to go live later this month at the first Starbucks shop in Provo, Utah (East Bay – University & 9th, 979 S University Ave). It will mark the beginning of a trial program announced last March to electrify a key route, allowing electric vehicle travel between Seattle, Boise, Salt Lake City, and Denver.

 

With the installation of up to 60 DC fast chargers at up to 15 Starbucks locations along a 1,350-mile route between the Colorado front range and the Starbucks Support Center (headquarters) in Seattle, Starbucks and Volvo intend to give electric vehicle (EV) drivers the freedom to move by providing familiar, comfortable, and safe places to recharge their vehicles, as well as themselves.

 

This picturesque route, which was previously under-resourced to accommodate EV charging, passes by six national forests and offers zero-emission EV drivers access to some of the nation’s most iconic locations. From the Snoqualmie Pass in Washington to the Snake River in Idaho, across Arches National Park in Utah, and connecting outdoor locations such as Park City and Vail, this route exemplifies the finest of the American road trip.

 

By the end of the year, it is anticipated that there will be chargers at Starbucks stores around every 100 miles along the route, which is well within the range of nearly every EV and will provide much-needed infrastructure for current EV drivers and those considering purchasing one. While their vehicles are charging outdoors, customers may enjoy their favorite Starbucks beverage inside.

 

Anders Gustafsson, SVP Americas Region and President and CEO of Volvo Car USA, remarked, “Partnerships like this are crucial as we continue to progress towards a more sustainable and electrified future.”

 

“Public EV charging should be as easy as getting a great cup of coffee – and now, it can be,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “We look forward to continuing this partnership with Volvo and ChargePoint, exploring new ways to enhance the Starbucks Experience and inviting customers on our journey to become a resource positive company.”

 

“With Volvo and Starbucks, we’re creating a premium EV driving experience between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest with Starbucks and Volvo Cars,” said Pasquale Romano, CEO of ChargePoint. “Through our partnership, EV drivers will have the opportunity to quickly fuel their vehicles at Starbucks locations along one of America’s most scenic byways.”

 

ChargePoint’s DC fast chargers can, for instance, charge the Volvo C40 Recharge from 20% to 90% in under 40 minutes*. Drivers of Volvo Recharge models with Google incorporated can utilize the ChargePoint software connected into their vehicle’s dashboard, while others can use the ChargePoint smartphone app to locate and use the charging stations at participating Starbucks locations.

 

The following communities will have EV chargers available at Starbucks outlets along the route:

Seattle, Washington Issaquah, Washington Yakima, Washington Hermiston, Oregon La Grande, Oregon Nampa, Idaho Twin Falls, Idaho Uintah, Idaho Sandy, Utah Provo, Utah Grand Junction, Colorado Glenwood Springs, Colorado Silverthorne, Colorado Idaho Springs, Colorado Broomfield, Colorado

While drivers of any EV equipped with a standard CCS1 or CHAdeMO receptacle will be able to use these stations for a cost, Volvo owners will have free or discounted access to these stations.

 

In the same way that Volvo Cars intends to be an all-electric vehicle manufacturer by 2030, Starbucks is rethinking the shop experience for greater connectivity, convenience, and environmental impact. The corporation continues to rapidly grow its portfolio of renewable energy and decarbonization projects in the United States in support of its global objective to lower its carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030 and its aspiration to become a resource-positive enterprise.

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