Over in Japan, Tesla and 7-Eleven are partnering to install the American brand’s high-speed Superchargers to allow customers to top up their EVs in short bursts as they shop at their local konbini. The first of these charging stations was opened at a 7-Eleven branch in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture last week on July 11th (a.k.a. 7-Eleven day).
The convenience chain shared its plans to install Superchargers at 10 more stores by February next year, prioritizing locations with ample parking spaces. According to Tesla, charging can take as little as 15 to 30 minutes thanks to the 250kW maximum output of the NACS-compliant Superchargers.
Just like the convenience store itself, Superchargers installed at 7-Eleven stores will be available for use 24/7. Estimated charging costs range around ¥37 to ¥200 (P14 to P76 as of writing) per minute.
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Tesla previously installed Superchargers at FamilyMart locations in 2023. In total, the American automaker has 744 Superchargers across 150 locations in Japan. With 7-Eleven becoming the second convenience chain to integrate Tesla’s charging network, this number will continue to climb.
Tesla also comments in the press release: “We believe that creating a charging environment where electric vehicles can be charged seamlessly and instantly wherever you go is essential for their integration into society.”
Could local convenience stores soon carry their own charging stations, too? It’s certainly not impossible, but shopping malls may already serve the niche of offering convenient charging while drivers do business inside. Still, with mobility providers scrambling to set up their own charging networks by signing partnerships left and right, it’s not off the table just yet.
