Mercedes-Benz and Starbucks have announced a collaboration to install fast electric vehicle chargers at 100 Starbucks locations along Interstate 5, which spans the West Coast from Canada to Mexico. This initiative is part of Mercedes-Benz’s $1 billion plan to establish 2,000 new EV charging hubs globally.
The first station, featuring a premium waiting area and 400kW charging speeds from ChargePoint, was inaugurated in Atlanta last year. The new phase will focus on Starbucks locations along I-5. Both companies aim to expand this initiative to key urban areas, charging deserts, and other essential travel corridors.
While Starbucks is providing space for the charging equipment in its parking lots, it is not funding the installation costs. Mercedes-Benz is partnering with MN8 Energy, a Goldman Sachs Asset Management subsidiary, which will cover 50 percent of the project’s cost.
This announcement comes as many automakers reassess their EV strategies due to slower-than-expected market growth. Despite this, Mercedes-Benz remains committed to expanding its EV infrastructure, though it will continue selling gas-powered vehicles after 2030.
A significant challenge in establishing new charging stations is securing real estate partners willing to allocate space for the necessary equipment, including transformers and load centers. Unlike quick gas refills, recharging an EV can take up to an hour, making locations like Starbucks ideal, as customers can enjoy a coffee while waiting.
Other automakers have also recognized the value of pairing EV chargers with popular retail locations. Through its subsidiary Electrify America, Volkswagen installs chargers in Walmart and Target parking lots. Similarly, Tesla planned a large Supercharger station with a restaurant and theater in Santa Monica, though construction has not started yet.
In 2022, Starbucks partnered with Volvo to install 15 charging stations along the highways between Seattle and Denver, highlighting a growing trend among automakers to enhance EV infrastructure through strategic partnerships with popular retail chains.
