1 00:00:01,920 --> 00:00:05,320 Hey everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast. 2 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,640 This is a show where we discuss the critical Crossroads, the 3 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:13,520 Shape, SpaceX, Tesla X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. 4 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:19,040 I'm your host, Will Walden, an unlikely company to get into the 5 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:23,280 electric vehicle sector. Starbucks is introducing 6 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:28,120 charging stations at select US locations in collaboration with 7 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:32,320 Volvo, and this initiative has led to the establishment of EV 8 00:00:32,439 --> 00:00:37,400 charging stations at 15 Starbucks locations along a 1000 9 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:40,240 mile route between Denver and Seattle. 10 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,000 Now, this move is a step in addressing the charging 11 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:47,360 infrastructure deficit in North America, according to Volvo and 12 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:51,320 according to Starbucks Now. The project encompasses 50 Volvo 13 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:55,360 charging stations spread across Starbucks stores in Colorado, 14 00:00:55,840 --> 00:01:00,080 Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. 15 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:03,920 The stations are equipped to recharge any electric vehicle 16 00:01:04,239 --> 00:01:09,800 that supports CCS 1 or CHA demo connectors, broadening the 17 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,000 accessibility for various kinds of EV models. 18 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:17,040 Now Starbucks and Volvo have shared insights into their 19 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,600 decision to pursue this venture. They identified a gap in the EV 20 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:23,360 charging infrastructure, especially along the corridor 21 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,520 connecting Seattle and Denver. This initiative is seen as an 22 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,520 opportunity to bridge this gap, catering to the needs of a 23 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:32,800 growing number of EV owners in the region. 24 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:37,000 Also, it brings people to their shops and Starbucks is not alone 25 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,360 in its ventures into the EV charging market. 26 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:44,160 Other food and retail chains like Taco Bell, Whole Foods, 711 27 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:49,040 and Subway and also numerous hotels are either adding or 28 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,560 planning to add EV chargers. This trend is a response to the 29 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:56,360 increased interest in E VS among American consumers and the 30 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,080 subsequent need for more charging stations. 31 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:03,480 Now, most US electric vehicles, excluding those made by Tesla, 32 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:06,160 use the CCS 1 connector for charging. 33 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:10,360 The CCS, or Combined Charging System, is widely adopted 34 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:14,320 standard in North America. Additionally, the Chad demo 35 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,560 connectors developed in Japan and used by some Asian car 36 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:21,840 manufacturers are also supported now Tesla, having developed its 37 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:25,560 own unique charging connector in port known as the North American 38 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:29,240 Charging Standard or knacks, has recently allowed other automatic 39 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,720 cars to utilize this design. And many leading automakers 40 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:37,800 including General Motors, Ford, Volvo, Hyundai, Honda and 41 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,520 Mercedes to name a few, are now adopting knacks for their new EV 42 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,520 models. Starbucks, recognizing the 43 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,360 evolving landscape of EV charging, plans to include 44 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:51,920 stations compatible with Tesla's NECS connectors. 45 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:54,760 The company is also exploring partnerships with other 46 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,680 automakers to expand its EV charging station network. 47 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:00,280 Now, as part of its sustainability commitments, 48 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:04,760 Starbucks is working with Volvo Cars to install up to 60 DC fast 49 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,840 chargers along a scenic 13150 mile route. 50 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,480 Now this is powered by Chargepoint, and it began with 51 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:15,000 the first installation at a Starbucks in Provo, UT. 52 00:03:15,920 --> 00:03:19,240 Now, this project is a component of Starbucks broader effort to 53 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,880 expand its renewable energy and decarbonization initiatives 54 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:25,960 across the United States, aligning with its environmental 55 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,960 sustainability goals. And the choosing route for this 56 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,680 EV charging station offers travelers the chance to visit 57 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,880 iconic locations in the West, such as Snoqualmie Pass in 58 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,360 Washington, the Snake River in Idaho, and the Arches National 59 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:43,640 Park in Utah. Now this enhances the appeal for 60 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,360 Rd. trips for all of these EV drivers, and this is a stop 61 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,400 along the way. People love Starbucks, so 62 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:50,920 they're going to go to Starbucks anyway. 63 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:53,680 You may as well charge your car while you're there. 64 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:57,360 Now with the Target to cut its global carbon footprint by 50% 65 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:01,800 by 2030, Starbucks is redefining its store experience to foster 66 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,120 greater connectivity, convenience and positive 67 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:07,080 environmental impact. Introducing the EV charging 68 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:10,600 station is part of this whole system. 69 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,880 The broader ambition for Starbucks is to get people to 70 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:18,079 their stores to buy their goods, and it's really nice to be able 71 00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:20,720 to charge your car while you're waiting in line for an espresso. 72 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,200 A charge points DC fast chargers can efficiently recharge 73 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:29,320 vehicles like the Volvo C40 Recharge from 20% to 90% in 74 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,760 about 40 minutes. However, this efficiency is 75 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:33,800 subject to various factors including temperature 76 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:37,120 conditions, battery health in the specifics of the charging. 77 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,840 Edit this out in the specifics of the charging equipment and 78 00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:43,280 the vehicle. Just a little side note, this is 79 00:04:43,280 --> 00:04:47,600 not a sponsored podcast today. This is this is a news podcast. 80 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,800 It's not sponsored by Starbucks or Volvo. 81 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:53,240 But Starbucks entry into the EV charging market signifies an 82 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,400 important shift in the retail and service industry. 83 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:59,320 Acknowledging the growing demand for EV infrastructure and by 84 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,600 integrating charging stations into their locations, Starbucks 85 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,760 is actively contributing to the expansion of the EV charging 86 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,720 network in the United States. The introduction of EV charging 87 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,200 stations by Starbucks. It has been met with positive 88 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:14,000 responses by both consumers and industry experts. 89 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:17,880 This move is seen as a proactive step in catering to the needs of 90 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:21,960 US EV owners and promoting the use of electric vehicles. 91 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:25,920 Now Starbucks has said that they have an interest in further 92 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:28,640 expanding its network of EV charging stations. 93 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,320 Could you imagine going to Starbucks anywhere you are along 94 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:36,120 the highway stopping, hinting at potential collaborations with 95 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,320 other automakers? Starbucks is doing too, possibly 96 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,120 Tesla in the future. And while you're inside getting 97 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:44,880 your coffee, you charge your car. 98 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:49,360 This could also be a major revenue stream for the future, 99 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,600 because eventually we're all going to be paying for charging. 100 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:56,200 No matter who we are, no matter what kind of car we run, it's 101 00:05:56,200 --> 00:06:00,320 going to be pay to play. So charge you for your coffee, 102 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,640 Also charge you for your charging, and it's only a matter 103 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,160 of time before all retail locations have charging in their 104 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:08,360 parking lots. Thank you so much for tuning 105 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:10,960 into the show today. I really do appreciate your 106 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:12,760 support. 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