Starbucks & Volvo to electrify Colorado-Seattle route

Starbucks has announced a new pilot programme with Volvo Cars to electrify the driving route from the Colorado Rockies to the Starbucks Support Centre in Seattle. The project aims to install a string of stations to recharge battery-powered vehicles.

The new project will integrate Volvo electric vehicle (EV) chargers, powered by ChargePoint, at up to 15 Starbucks stores over a 1350-mile route. The route tracks from the Denver area to their Seattle headquarters, as part of Starbucks’ 2700 Greener Store portfolio.

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These direct current (DC) fast chargers will be placed at Starbucks stores every 100 miles.

The hope of this widespread installation is to provide peace of mind for EV drivers, as it will mitigate limited charging infrastructure, a major barrier to purchase.

By 2030, Starbucks aspires to lead the retail industry in decarbonisation solutions, including EV charging and onsite solar availability at their stores. Starbucks plans to continue expanding its solar pilot locations to 55 new stores this year.

“We have a bold long-term sustainability vision and ambitious goals for 2030,” said Starbucks president and CEO, Kevin Johnson in a recent statement.

“Starbucks partners around the world are passionate about protecting our planet and are at the very centre of driving the innovation that enables us to give more than we take from the planet.”

This news comes as part of a wider announcement of various new projects being undertaken ahead of Starbucks’ 30th annual shareholder’s meeting.

Other such projects include a new reusable cup programme and a waste and recycling application to support their partners’ sustainability efforts.