Your favorite late-night snack place, Taco Bell, is always looking for new ways to serve its customers, introducing irresistible favorites like nacho fries. TB’s latest idea: to serve the growing population of EV drivers with ultrafast charging stations so you can “get an EV charge and a chalupa all in one easy stop.”
The first Taco Bell fast EV charging station opened Tuesday morning as the restaurant chain looks to solidify its position in a new era of drivers.
Electric vehicle sales are outpacing their gas-powered counterparts, and it’s not even close. Over 200,000 EVs were sold in the US this past quarter, a record as automakers scale production to meet the overwhelming demand.
A Consumer Reports study finds over 70% of Americans express some interest in electric vehicles as their next car. With new options available in nearly all segments, Americans are transitioning to electric at a record pace.
Meanwhile, the majority of eager EV buyers are younger adults living in urban areas, precisely the market Taco Bell targets. The fast food chain targets consumers in the 18-34 range, while US adults ages 18-29 are the most likely group to purchase an EV at 55%.
Taco Bell introducing its first fast charger for EVs in California comes after the state banned gas-powered car sales by 2035 to accelerate the shift to zero-emission transportation.
ChargeNet Taco Bell EV chargers (Source: ChargeNet)
One of Taco Bell’s largest franchisee owners, Diversified Energy Group, is teaming up with EV fast-charging and software company, ChargeNet to allow its customers to charge up while they eat.
Taco Bell will use Tritium fast chargers utilizing ChargNet’s software to integrate solar energy and energy storage solutions. ChargeNet says its stations are compatible with all EV connector types, and on average, a 100-mile charge in 20 mins will cost around $20.
ChargeNet’s CEO, Tosh Dutt, talks about the opportunity, stating:
Call it quick food, quick charge. You can get an EV charge and a chalupa all in one easy stop.
Dutt continues:
We are committed to catalyzing the EV revolution to ensure it spans across all demographics. This is why we are working with quick-serve restaurants, where an estimated 120 million Americans eat every day. About half of our locations are in marginalized communities across California, providing charging access to people who may not have the luxury of a home charging station. We are out to democratize EV charging across California and beyond.
Using solar and energy storage solutions, ChargeNet says, can keep restaurant utility costs down while increasing renewable energy options.
Taco Bell opened its first six EV charging stations at its 465 El Camino Real location as it looks to add to its network in up to 120 additional locations across California. SG Ellison, president of Diversified Restaurant Group, states:
We’re always looking for opportunities to bring innovative and sustainable ideas to market, especially those that create a “win-win” for our customers, the community, and our business.
Electrek’s Take
ChargeNet’s CEO makes a good point by mentioning many Taco Bell locations are in places where people may not have access to home EV charging. They may live in an apartment or otherwise rent like many younger generations do, as housing prices are near record highs.
Although EV charging is not cheap to install and maintain, I believe Taco Bell is looking toward the future.
As more people that don’t own home shift their preference to owning an electric vehicle, charging stations can become a valuable asset for businesses.
Taco Bell has a first-mover advantage here as one of the first fast food restaurants to introduce EV charging. Starbucks is another company (though not so much associated with “fast food”) that introduced charging options for its customers, teaming up with Volvo and ChargePoint.
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The Subaru BRZ may live on as an EV after all. Subaru wants its share of the sports car market, and an electric BRZ could hit the sweet spot.
Is Subaru launching an electric BRZ?
Subaru discontinued the BRZ in Europe in 2020 after the first generation. Although its twin, the Toyota GR86, was sold until the 2024 model year, the BRZ was released as a US-only model.
In its third generation, it could return as an EV. Speaking with Autocar, Subaru’s European head, David Dello Stritto, said, “Our options are open,” hinting that the BRZ could make a comeback in electric form.
Subaru’s global EV product boss, Inoue Masahiko, confirmed an electric version of the sports car “was under consideration.” He added that Subaru has extensively looked into an EV version of the BRZ with its partner, Toyota.
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Masahiko explained that “We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GR86, but the win-win relationship is more important.” So far, “We can’t get the kind of benefits from both sides,” he added.
2026 Subaru Uncharted EV (Source: Subaru)
Subaru is already launching several new electric vehicles in Europe, including the new Uncharted, E-Outback (known as Trailseeker in the US), and an updated Solterra SUV.
Stritto said that an electric sports car will depend on the success of these models first, especially the Uncharted. According to Subaru’s European boss, the Japanese automaker feels “very positively about Subaru enthusiasts, but we need to see how Uncharted does first.”
2026 Subaru Solterra EV (Source: Subaru)
As for an “electrified” powertrain, or hybrid, Masahiko said the vehicle’s packaging “would make it difficult,” adding an EV version would be “easier” to create.
The comments come after Stritto told Autocar last week that a new entry-level EV could also be in the works. However, that will also depend on how well the Uncharted sells.
For those in the US, don’t worry – Subaru is not planning to discontinue the BRZ. If it did launch as an EV, would you consider one? It would go up against the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 N and Tesla Model 3 Performance.
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The new Nissan LEAF will arrive at dealerships this fall, and to go with it, the company has introduced a new one-stop shop for EV chargers and more.
Nissan launches new shop for EV chargers and more
Nissan says it’s “building more than electric vehicles” after launching its new “Nissan Energy Marketplace” on Thursday.
The new one-stop shop was developed in collaboration with Electrum, a leading home energy marketplace provider. Electrum has built similar platforms for other major automakers, including Tesla (in certain regions), Hyundai, and Honda.
Nissan joins in just as the new and (much) improved LEAF is about to hit US dealerships. Through the new marketplace, you can research and find EV chargers, solar panels, and battery storage options.
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With the help of Electrum’s Energy Advisors, you can compare prices from a nationwide network of contractors. You can also find local, state, and federal incentives to reduce your costs further.
The 2026 Nissan LEAF will reach US dealerships this fall. Dropping the iconic hatch design, the LEAF is now all grown up with a more crossover SUV-like profile.
Nissan launches new Nissan Energy Marketplace (Source: Nissan)
Powered by a 75 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, the new LEAF has up to 303 miles of driving range. That’s a significant difference from the maximum 212-mile range offered on the outgoing model, which was powered by a 62 kWh battery.
2026 Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)
It can also recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 35 minutes. Perhaps the best part is that the 2026 Nissan LEAF will include a built-in NACS port, enabling access to Tesla Superchargers.
Nissan has yet to reveal prices, but the new LEAF EV is expected to start in the $35,000 to $40,000 range. The new LEAF is one of ten new Nissan and Infiniti models slated to launch in North America by 2028, as the Japanese automaker seeks to revamp its brand. A new “adventure-focused” electric SUV is set to arrive around 2027, followed by a luxury Infiniti EV SUV.
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Two years after world leaders pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, a new report shows that most countries still aren’t planning like they mean it.
Global energy think tank Ember released new data showing that national targets for renewable energy have barely budged since the COP28 climate summit in 2023. Collectively, countries are now aiming for just 7.4 terawatts (TW) of renewable energy by 2030 – that’s only a 2% increase in ambition since the agreement was signed. To hit the global tripling goal of tripling renewables by 2030, we need to reach 11 TW. Right now, we’re still on track for just a doubling.
“The purpose of a national renewables target is less so to force more renewables to be built, but rather to make sure they are built smarter,” said Dr. Katye Altieri, global electricity analyst at Ember. Setting clear goals helps governments plan where to build projects and how to best integrate them into the grid, and it helps companies invest in supply chains. What results is cheaper, more secure electricity.
Since COP28, only 22 countries have updated their renewables targets, and most of them are in the European Union. Outside the EU, just seven countries have made changes. That sluggish response highlights how most governments are still moving at their usual planning pace, despite the climate emergency.
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The world’s biggest electricity producers haven’t done much either. The US still doesn’t have a national 2030 renewables target — and with Trump’s rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there’s little to no chance of that happening during this administration. India’s target of 500 GW hasn’t moved, but it’s already aligned with the tripling goal. Russia has no 2030 target at all, and no plans to set one.
China is finalizing its 15th Five-Year Plan for Energy, which is expected to include a 2030 renewables target, though it’s unclear if that will be part of the plan, its nationally determined contribution (NDC), or both. South Africa is also updating its Integrated Resource Plan, which could bring a new 2030 goal.
This report lands just as countries are gearing up for COP30 in Brazil, and without urgent, ambitious target updates and a clear path to implementation, the world is set to miss the 2030 goal. That would also be a missed opportunity to boost investment, cut fossil fuel use, and build a more affordable and resilient energy system.
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