Volvo brings fast EV charging to Starbucks locations

Your Frappuccino will soon come with an extra shot...of electricity.

Volvo is partnering with charging network ChargePoint and Starbucks coffee locations to offer up fast charging for all electric vehicle drivers at the coffee chain.

This summer, Volvo-branded charging stations will be installed at up to 15 Starbucks locations along the 1,350-mile route between Denver and Seattle. The 60 charge plugs will be available about every 100 miles to alleviate any range anxiety. That breaks down to about four plugs at each Starbucks.

The electric route from Seattle to Denver. Credit: Volvo

Volvo says it hopes to expand its ChargePoint partnership into a nationwide network with a focus on publicly available fast charging. Tesla's charging network, Supercharger, is only available to Tesla drivers. But last year Tesla CEO Elon Musk said eventually the chargers would open up to all EVs. In parts of Europe, Superchargers are testing out availability for any type of EV. The Volvo stations at Starbucks will be open for anyone, but Volvo EV drivers will have access to free or discounted charging rates.

ChargePoint's DC fast charging can take a 20 percent charged Volvo C40 Recharge to 90 percent full in about 40 minutes. The Starbucks partnership provides somewhere to rest and refuel while waiting for the battery to recharge.

The C40 Recharge has 226 miles of range and is Volvo's second all-electric SUV. Volvo plans to only sell electric vehicles by 2030.