Technology

Taco Bell franchise adds EV charging

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October 18, 2022

The first ever electrified Taco Bell will allow electric vehicles to charge while drivers dine. Located at 465 El Camino Real, South San Francisco, the restaurant is operated by Diversified Restaurant Group, according to a press release.

It's the first of the franchisees' 298 Taco Bells to feature the ultra-fast, solar-powered EV charging station that is being provided by ChargeNet Stations.

"As the popularity of electric cars grows, especially in California, we are excited to offer our customers in the Golden State this service. They can quickly charge their vehicles and fuel themselves with our Mexican-inspired fan favorites at the same time," SG Ellison, president of Diversified Restaurant Group, said in the press release. "We applaud ChargeNet Stations for their innovative solutions that work for the benefit of our planet, while also meeting increasing demands for convenience."

ChargeNet Stations is pairing solar energy and energy storage with Tritium's fast EV chargers. Six chargers will sit underneath a solar array, which will cover 10 spots total. ChargeNet Stations is compatible with all EV connector types. For about $20, users of the ultra-fast charging station can get a 100-plus mile charge in 20 minutes or less. To put that in perspective, a level two charger would need six hours for a 100-mile charge.

"We are committed to catalyzing the EV revolution to ensure it spans across all demographics - we want people everywhere to have access to convenient charging and Taco Bell is a great place to start," Tosh Dutt, ChargeNet Stations CEO and co-founder, said in the press release. "An estimated 120 million Americans eat at quick-serve restaurants every day. About half of our locations are in marginalized communities across California, providing charging access to people who may not have the luxury of a home charging station. Our goal is to democratize EV charging across California and beyond."