Since the invention of the drivethru, fast food and cars have been inextricably linked. However, it appears that Sweden’s numerous McDonalds fast food outlets are about to deepen that relationship, with the announcement that several charging stations for electric cars will be set up in restaurant car parks across the country.
Elforsk, a division of Swedish energy supplier Svensk Energi and the Swedish national grid, will oversee the running of the charging station network while McDonalds will purchase the charging stations themselves.
Each station will carry a single and three-phase electrical outlet and supply 230 volts, 16 amps. Charging time for the average plug-in electric vehicle (EV) is estimated at between 30-45 minutes – more than enough time to scoff a few half-pounders.
The first charging station will be installed at a Stockholm McDonalds “restaurant” within the next few months, with more on the way. Costs for charging a vehicle at the stations have yet to be announced.
This is a potentially brilliant strategic move on McDonalds part. Their customers will now be “captive” while they wait for their EV’s to charge, in which time they are likely to make a secondary purchase, such as dessert.
