While auto manufacturers are expanding the electric car market, 7-Eleven launched their own EV fast charging network to increase availability of charging stations across the nation. Called 7Charge, the network so far has chargers across Florida, Texas, California, and Colorado so far.

 
7Charge is compatible with a variety of vehicles including Teslas. Drivers are charged based on the energy used or the time spent charging which depends on localities. As the country's form of transportation evolves, this lends itself to the question of how this is going to change the makeup of the country's roadways that currently sit with gas stations and very little to do with entertainment while you wait, like EV charging will inevitably need.

7Charge's launch comes a mere month after Subway announced their plans to build "car charging oases" that would include green spaces, playgrounds, and other amenities. Currently, the sandwich chain is launching the plan with stand-alone fast chargers at various locations.

Taco Bell is also looking to get into the EV charging market by adding chargers to more than 100 of their California restaurants through their partnership with ChargeNet Stations.

Meanwhile, Starbucks partnered with Volvo Cars to install EV charging stations to create their own network of 60 DC fast chargers on the 1,350 mile route from Seattle to Denver along I-90, I-84, and I-70. This route touches Snoqualmie Pass in Washington, Snake River in Idaho, Vail in Colorado, and Arches National Park to begin a sustainable renewable energy project that would allow customers to embark on a traditional styled roadtrip.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in the third quarter of 2022 there was a five percent increase in the number of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) ports in the Station Locator, including a 5.5 percent increase in public ports and a two percent increase in private ports. The site also states that most people charge at home or work, we will need to see an uptick in a system of chargers to keep up with those that want to road trip.

EV charging saw an influx of funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which funds $7.5 billion to create a network of charging stations that would connect the country coast to coast by 2030. The legislation also provides $65 billion to modernize the power grid to handle transmission wires, substations, cyber protection hardware, and distribution.