New McDonald's will feed hungry EVs

subscribe

A Big Mac with a jolt of juice is on the menu at a new Raleigh-area McDonald's that will be the first in the nation to feature electric car charging stations.

The new McDonald's opened with two battery charging units for patrons of the restaurant or the nearby shopping center to use free of charge.

McDonald's said it will add charging stations to parking lots at some of its restaurants across the country if the Cary venture proves successful.

"This new Cary location will help us evaluate the tactics of green building," said McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud. The McDonald's stations will be among the first public car chargers in the state.

NovaCharge, the Florida-based distributor of the ChargePoint stations, says the McDonald's chargers are a new option for electric car owners who now mostly charge at home.

"The typical electric car is going to go about 40 miles on a charge," said Helda Rodriguez, president of NovaCharge. Public charging stations help eliminate "range anxiety" for electric car owners who are afraid of running out of juice while on errands or sitting in traffic.

The units are manufactured by Coulomb Technologies and cost about $5,000 a piece. NovaCharge says it has distributed hundreds of units in the U.S.

Advocates argue electricity is cleaner, cheaper and a more secure source of energy for cars than oil since it can be produced domestically. But the numbers haven't caught up with the buzz.

"Right now there are under 1,000 all-electric cars in the U.S.," said Felix Kramer, the founder of CalCars.org, a California-based nonprofit.

So who's going to top-off their battery at the Cary McDonald's?

Peter Eckhoff, president of the Triangle Electric Auto Association, estimates there are only "several dozen" electric cars in the Triangle region.

He said McDonald's plan is "farsighted" but on the cutting edge: "As demand grows, the chargers will be there."

Related News

alberta-advances-electricity-plans-with-rate-of-last-resort

Alberta Advances Electricity Plans with Rate of Last Resort

ALBERTA - The Alberta government has announced significant strides in its electricity market reforms, unveiling a new plan that aims to enhance energy reliability and affordability for consumers. This initiative, highlighted by the introduction of a "rate of last resort," is a critical response to ongoing challenges in the province's electricity sector, particularly following recent market volatility and increasing consumer concerns about rising energy costs.

Understanding the Rate of Last Resort

The "rate of last resort" (RLR) is designed to ensure that all Albertans have access to affordable electricity, even when they face challenges securing a competitive rate in the…

READ MORE

Iran supplying 40% of Iraq’s need for electricity

READ MORE

taiwan power outage

Taiwan's economic minister resigns over widespread power outage

READ MORE

lava spills near geothermal plant

Geothermal Power Plant In Hawaii Nearing Dangerous Meltdown?

READ MORE

trumps-proposal-on-ukraines-nuclear-plants-sparks-controversy

Trump's Proposal on Ukraine's Nuclear Plants Sparks Controversy

READ MORE