Taco Bell ‘Electrified’ in California

An EV charging station has opened at California’s first Taco Bell, among about 100 planned to open at the US state’s Taco Bell sites within the next year.

Fast-charging station development and software company ChargeNet Stations is partnering with Taco Bell franchisee Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) on the electrification project.

The first such station has been established at South San Francisco Taco Bell with ChargeNet Stations using its innovative software technology, pairing solar energy and energy storage with Tritium’s fast EV chargers at quick-serve restaurants across California.

ChargeNet Stations’ debut Taco Bell location at 465 El Camino Real has six charging stations.

“Call it quick food, quick charge,” says ChargeNet Stations founder and chief executive Tosh Dutt.

ChargeNet Stations are compatible with all EV connector types and offers, on average about a 160km charge within 20 minutes for around US$20. Locations are being strategically positioned to make EV charging available in traditionally underserved communities.

“We are committed to catalysing the EV revolution to ensure it spans across all demographics,” says Dutt.

“This is why we are working with quick-serve restaurants, where an estimated 120 million Americans eat 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. We are out to democratise EV charging across California and beyond.”

The company will soon announce expansion to other brands as well.

By integrating solar and energy storage, ChargeNet Stations says it keeps restaurant utility costs in check and increases renewable energy usage.

DRG president SG Ellison says it operates more than 300 Taco Bell and Arby’s in five states and is growing rapidly.

By 2035, California plans to ban the sales of new gas-powered cars and trucks.

DC fast charger manufacturer Brisbane-founded Tritium has sold more than 7600 chargers across 42 countries, and recently opened a Tennessee factory to increase US supply capabilities and produce Buy America-compliant chargers in 2023.

The partnership is expected to expand in other areas and leverages funding from the California Energy Commission’s California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) and the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). In addition to helping EV drivers, the state funding is creating jobs for local installers, leveraging solar energy, and supporting business owners looking to transform their parking lots into profit centres.

ChargeNet Stations has received funding from Aligned Climate Capital, the San Diego Angels, Tech Coast Angels, and the LACI Impact Fund.

Click here for more information on ChargeNet Stations.