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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Electric vehicle charging stations are expected to be available by the end of the year at about 800 Walgreen Co. stores across the country, which the drug chain says will make it the nation’s largest retail host of such sites.
Walgreens stores will provide locations for EV drivers to recharge near their home or work. The EV charging stations will feature a high-speed direct current charger that can add 30 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes of charging time or a “level two” charger that can add up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge.
Markets expected to host the charging stations include Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and the District of Columbia. Select locations in Florida, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington will also receive charging stations. Walgreens says it already has installations under way for EV charging stations at more than 60 stores across Houston, Dallas/ Fort Worth and Chicago.
“Consumer interest and enthusiasm has been incredible. We’re excited to provide locations to charge up in neighborhoods across the country,” says Mark Wagner, president of community management and operations at Walgreens. “As more Americans embrace environmentally sustainable technologies, our convenient locations make us uniquely positioned to help address the concern around accessibility, or ‘range confidence.’
“Walgreens will make up as much as 40% of all public EV charging stations across the country, making it easy for EV drivers to look to our stores for a quick charge near major highways, metropolitan areas or right in their neighborhood.”
The retailer notes that the initiative reinforces its commitment to reducing energy use and expanding renewable energy initiatives.
In November the company became the nation’s first drug chain to install a geothermal energy system at a store in Oak Park, Ill. Walgreens’ Mira Mesa, Calif., location became the first drug store to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Walgreens also will have more than 100 rooftop solar installations at stores and distribution centers by the end of the year.
In addition, the company uses an energy management system that monitors electricity, water, heating and cooling, and waste management at over 1,100 stores to help reduce energy use and maintenance costs while extending equipment life.
