Culver’s is the latest chain to add Electric Vehicle charging stations
https://www.nrn.com/restaurant-operations/culver-s-is-the-latest-chain-to-add-ev-charging-stations
A Culver’s restaurant in Rhinelander, Wis., has added an electric vehicle charging station in partnership with Zero 60.
Located along a state-designated Alternative Fuel Corridor, the new charging station at 620 W. Kemp St. in Rhinelander includes four high-speed charging ports capable of delivering up to 160 kilowatts per vehicle simultaneously. The infrastructure was made possible through an award from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, part of the state’s first round of funding through the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
“Partnering with a well-known brand like Culver’s gives us a unique opportunity to combine Midwest hospitality with clean, convenient charging,” Wade Leipold, executive vice president of Zero 60 parent company Faith Technologies Incorporated, said in a statement. “We’re proud to support Wisconsin’s efforts to build a robust, future-ready charging network that serves communities and travelers alike.”
Zero 60 currently has nine live charging stations, with plans to develop more sites across the United States. Its footprint so far also includes In-N-Out Burger in Redlands and Anaheim, Calif., Chipotle in Denver, Denny’s in Cortland, N.Y., and Starbucks in Canandaigua, N.Y.
More restaurant brands have been adding EV charging stations in recent years, as electric vehicle sales are expected to grow by an average of 21% per year in the next four years. By 2030, they’re expected to make up more than 10% of all vehicles on the road.
Bojangles, for instance, recently partnered with Alyath EV, Smart Big Box, and Environmental Design Services to bring EV charging stations to most of its locations in 2026. The charging stations will vary between level two (medium) and level three (high) speed charging efficiency with over 97% uptime. There will be a minimum of four charging spots per restaurant.
“Bojangles’ focus is on offering a fast, friendly and convenient experience for our guests, and working with Alyath and Smart Big Box allows us to introduce a new convenience that aligns with evolving customer needs,” chief information officer Richard Del Valle said in a statement. “These top-of-the-line EV chargers will not only improve accessibility for our guests but also help drive an eco-friendlier future.”
Major Taco Bell franchisee Diversified Restaurant Group began installing EV stations at many of its restaurants in 2022 in partnership with ChargeNet Stations, while Subway began a pilot of EV stations in 2023, alongside GenZ EV Solutions. Starbucks, Denny’s, Cracker Barrel, and Sonic Drive-In also offer charging stations at some locations.
The number of public EV charging stations has more than doubled since 2020, driven not only by increased adoption of electric vehicles, but also government policies such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in late 2021.
Contact Alicia Kelso at Alicia.Kelso@informa.com
