- Zest and Café Fortune are installing six 120kW rapid EV charging bays at the new Starbucks in Alfreton.
- £420 million funding from the Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund supports the rollout.
- Zest will manage the chargers, supporting Starbucks’ sustainability goals by making EV charging more accessible and convenient.
Zest and Starbucks begin their partnership to install rapid-charge points at stores across the UK
UK-based public charge point operator, Zest, has teamed up with Café Fortune. The partnership with the Starbucks franchise operator will introduce rapid charging bays at the new Starbucks in Alfreton. The site now features six 120kW rapid charging bays. They’re designed to match the typical customer stay duration; a full charge in the time it takes to drink a coffee.
Ian Gill, Property Director at Café Fortune, commented:
“The addition of EV charge points to our sites gives customers and added reason to visit and aligns with our commitment to being a greener company. There is a strong synergy between these uses and we look forward to this site being the first of many.”
This Alfreton installation is the first in a series of planned rollouts at Starbucks Drive Thrus nationwide. Starbucks is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and innovate its operations.
Zest will manage and operate the charge points. Moreover, the project is supported by the £420 million government-sponsored Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund. As a certified B Corp, Zest is expanding public-access EV charge points rapidly, across the UK.
Robin Heap, CEO and Founder of Zest, added:
“For a smooth transition to EV adoption we need to install abundant charging across the UK. Our long-term partnership with Café Fortune will give people an additional reason to visit the development, and allows customers to charge at a time that’s convenient for them. We look forward to working with Café Fortune on future sites and responding to the fast- growing population of EV drivers”.
This collaboration between Zest and Café Fortune marks a significant step towards making EV charging more accessible and convenient for UK drivers. By installing infrastructure where drivers naturally park, EV ownership becomes one major step easier. This partnership will add to charge points found at supermarkets, service stations, and holiday destinations across the UK.
