7-Eleven Opens Nation's Largest Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Network

CHICAGO -- 7-Eleven Inc. opened fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at four Illinois Tollway Oasis locations yesterday – the largest network of fast-charging EV stations in the nation.

The convenience store chain expects to add three more fast-charging EV locations at Tollway Oasis sites in the near future.

"We want Illinois to be the greenest state in America," said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. "By installing the largest network of cutting edge fast-chargers, Illinois will continue to support green jobs and provide people with environmentally friendly and affordable travel options."

Fast-charging EV stations are designed to allow motorists with electric vehicles to charge their cars in less than 30 minutes. As CSNews Online has reported, previous EV options called for motorists to wait multiple hours before a full EV charge could be accomplished, which led some to say that EV stations would be much better suited for apartment complexes and malls, as opposed to convenience store locations.

To charge their vehicles at the Tollway locations, drivers must purchase a payment card from 350Green, which built the Illinois EV stations. The card costs $21, which provides three 15-minute sessions at the 7-Eleven fast-charging stations.

After opening three EV charging stations yesterday, the Chicago area now has 26 fast-chargers installed, with 47 more planned for the near future. The city of Chicago has an ultimate of goal of opening 280 fast-charging EV stations in dense residential and other high-traffic areas, and has set aside $8.8 million to support that goal.

7-Eleven opened its first electric vehicle charging station in San Bernardino, Calif., in July.