Subway has announced plans to build an electric vehicle charging network which includes playgrounds, WiFi and picnic tables for its customers.
The fast food giant has partnered with Gen Z EV Solutions and RED E charging to build the network across the United States.
A multi-year plan will see the fast food chain create an ‘oasis’ at select locations, where people can take advantage of multiple charging ports, picnic tables, WiFi, bathrooms, green space and playgrounds all in a bid to equip communities with critical infrastructure to cater for the increasing shift to electric vehicles.
As an incentive for customers to use the network, Subway will offer specific promotions.
A pilot program will see rapid fast-charging stations installed at selected locations across the United States, and franchise owners can apply online to have the chargers installed provided they have a new or newly renovated restaurant.
“Our partnership with GenZ EV Solutions is a win for our guests, our franchisees and our planet, creating a dedicated space for drivers to charge their vehicle while enjoying their favourite Subway sandwich,” said Mike Kappitt, chief operating and insights officer of Subway.
Subway isn’t the first fast-food giant to roll out a charging network in the US, as Taco Bell announced in October 2022 that it’s going to provide charging stations to its restaurants.
Big chain restaurants aren’t the only businesses to create a charging network for its customers, with carmakers like Audi rolling out charging infrastructure of their own.
The Ingolstadt brand has been rolling out charging hubs, which feature cafe, meeting room and lounge facilities for customers plugged into its chargers.
Closer to home, Evie has been rolling out a network of over 300 public charging stations with equipment built by local manufacturer Tritium.
Evie is rolling out public charging stations across petrol stations, landmarks around rural Australia as well as fast food restaurants including McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks and Red Rooster.
It’s also rolling out electric vehicle fast-charging stations across AMP Capital’s entire network of shopping centres.
Tritium earlier this year signed its biggest contract yet with BP for its BP Pulse charging network, supplying a mix of its 50kW RTM and 150kW PKM chargers.
Ampol has also announced similar plans, and is set to install 120 charging stations across the country by October 2023.
A recent report from the Australian Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) revealed the number of public charge stations Down Under leapt from 1614 to 2392 during 2022.
The number of individual plugs on offer across those stations jumped from 3413 to 4943.
According to VFACTS, electric vehicle sales for 2022 were up by a staggering 548.9 per cent from 2021, a sharper rise than that experienced by hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Overall, Australians bought 33,410 EVs, as well as 5937 plug-in hybrids, and 81,786 hybrids.
