Latest / Elon Musk Podcast / Starbucks getting into the EV industry
Transcript
- 0:01Hey everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast.
- 0:05This is a show where we discuss the critical Crossroads, the
- 0:08Shape, SpaceX, Tesla X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink.
- 0:13I'm your host, Will Walden, an unlikely company to get into the
- 0:19electric vehicle sector. Starbucks is introducing
- 0:23charging stations at select US locations in collaboration with
- 0:28Volvo, and this initiative has led to the establishment of EV
- 0:32charging stations at 15 Starbucks locations along a 1000
- 0:37mile route between Denver and Seattle.
- 0:40Now, this move is a step in addressing the charging
- 0:43infrastructure deficit in North America, according to Volvo and
- 0:47according to Starbucks Now. The project encompasses 50 Volvo
- 0:51charging stations spread across Starbucks stores in Colorado,
- 0:55Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
- 1:00The stations are equipped to recharge any electric vehicle
- 1:04that supports CCS 1 or CHA demo connectors, broadening the
- 1:09accessibility for various kinds of EV models.
- 1:13Now Starbucks and Volvo have shared insights into their
- 1:17decision to pursue this venture. They identified a gap in the EV
- 1:20charging infrastructure, especially along the corridor
- 1:23connecting Seattle and Denver. This initiative is seen as an
- 1:26opportunity to bridge this gap, catering to the needs of a
- 1:29growing number of EV owners in the region.
- 1:33Also, it brings people to their shops and Starbucks is not alone
- 1:37in its ventures into the EV charging market.
- 1:39Other food and retail chains like Taco Bell, Whole Foods, 711
- 1:44and Subway and also numerous hotels are either adding or
- 1:49planning to add EV chargers. This trend is a response to the
- 1:52increased interest in E VS among American consumers and the
- 1:56subsequent need for more charging stations.
- 1:59Now, most US electric vehicles, excluding those made by Tesla,
- 2:03use the CCS 1 connector for charging.
- 2:06The CCS, or Combined Charging System, is widely adopted
- 2:10standard in North America. Additionally, the Chad demo
- 2:14connectors developed in Japan and used by some Asian car
- 2:17manufacturers are also supported now Tesla, having developed its
- 2:21own unique charging connector in port known as the North American
- 2:25Charging Standard or knacks, has recently allowed other automatic
- 2:29cars to utilize this design. And many leading automakers
- 2:32including General Motors, Ford, Volvo, Hyundai, Honda and
- 2:37Mercedes to name a few, are now adopting knacks for their new EV
- 2:42models. Starbucks, recognizing the
- 2:45evolving landscape of EV charging, plans to include
- 2:48stations compatible with Tesla's NECS connectors.
- 2:52The company is also exploring partnerships with other
- 2:54automakers to expand its EV charging station network.
- 2:58Now, as part of its sustainability commitments,
- 3:00Starbucks is working with Volvo Cars to install up to 60 DC fast
- 3:04chargers along a scenic 13150 mile route.
- 3:08Now this is powered by Chargepoint, and it began with
- 3:11the first installation at a Starbucks in Provo, UT.
- 3:15Now, this project is a component of Starbucks broader effort to
- 3:19expand its renewable energy and decarbonization initiatives
- 3:22across the United States, aligning with its environmental
- 3:25sustainability goals. And the choosing route for this
- 3:29EV charging station offers travelers the chance to visit
- 3:32iconic locations in the West, such as Snoqualmie Pass in
- 3:35Washington, the Snake River in Idaho, and the Arches National
- 3:39Park in Utah. Now this enhances the appeal for
- 3:43Rd. trips for all of these EV drivers, and this is a stop
- 3:47along the way. People love Starbucks, so
- 3:49they're going to go to Starbucks anyway.
- 3:51You may as well charge your car while you're there.
- 3:53Now with the Target to cut its global carbon footprint by 50%
- 3:57by 2030, Starbucks is redefining its store experience to foster
- 4:01greater connectivity, convenience and positive
- 4:04environmental impact. Introducing the EV charging
- 4:07station is part of this whole system.
- 4:10The broader ambition for Starbucks is to get people to
- 4:13their stores to buy their goods, and it's really nice to be able
- 4:18to charge your car while you're waiting in line for an espresso.
- 4:21A charge points DC fast chargers can efficiently recharge
- 4:24vehicles like the Volvo C40 Recharge from 20% to 90% in
- 4:29about 40 minutes. However, this efficiency is
- 4:31subject to various factors including temperature
- 4:33conditions, battery health in the specifics of the charging.
- 4:37Edit this out in the specifics of the charging equipment and
- 4:40the vehicle. Just a little side note, this is
- 4:43not a sponsored podcast today. This is this is a news podcast.
- 4:47It's not sponsored by Starbucks or Volvo.
- 4:50But Starbucks entry into the EV charging market signifies an
- 4:53important shift in the retail and service industry.
- 4:55Acknowledging the growing demand for EV infrastructure and by
- 4:59integrating charging stations into their locations, Starbucks
- 5:02is actively contributing to the expansion of the EV charging
- 5:05network in the United States. The introduction of EV charging
- 5:08stations by Starbucks. It has been met with positive
- 5:11responses by both consumers and industry experts.
- 5:14This move is seen as a proactive step in catering to the needs of
- 5:17US EV owners and promoting the use of electric vehicles.
- 5:22Now Starbucks has said that they have an interest in further
- 5:25expanding its network of EV charging stations.
- 5:28Could you imagine going to Starbucks anywhere you are along
- 5:31the highway stopping, hinting at potential collaborations with
- 5:36other automakers? Starbucks is doing too, possibly
- 5:39Tesla in the future. And while you're inside getting
- 5:43your coffee, you charge your car.
- 5:45This could also be a major revenue stream for the future,
- 5:49because eventually we're all going to be paying for charging.
- 5:52No matter who we are, no matter what kind of car we run, it's
- 5:56going to be pay to play. So charge you for your coffee,
- 6:00Also charge you for your charging, and it's only a matter
- 6:03of time before all retail locations have charging in their
- 6:06parking lots. Thank you so much for tuning
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