Kohl's Department Stores expanding electric car charging stations to 14 states

Kohl's Department Stores announced today plans to increase the number of stores with electric car charging stations, adding 36 new charging stations at 18 Kohl's locations by the end of the Fall 2012. The expansion will make for 101 electric car charging stations installed at 52 Kohl's locations in 14 states across the U.S.

The charging stations are being done in partnership with either Duke Energy, ECOtality, or ChargePoint. Depending on the partnership arrangement, customers must either use a card for the corresponding membership network, or a phone call to Kohl's customer service desk.

The charging stations will display information about the company's sustainability efforts, including the growing number of LEED-certified Kohl's stores.

Kohl's says the charging stations will be available at least through December 31, 2013 after which the company will assess the impact and assess opportunities to expand the effort.

A portion of the installation and equipment cost is covered by the U.S. Department of Energy as Kohl's is a participant in ECOtality pilot programs through the DOE.

It's widely thought that adding an electric car charging station to a store will provide a range of benefits, such as lengthening the "dwell time" of customers whose cars are charging. Longer stays in the store tends to mean more sales.

The charging station initiative is part of Kohl's effort to be "a leading environmentally responsible retailer through strategies including waste reduction and recycling, environmentally responsible building design and operation, use and support of renewable energy, energy efficiency initiatives, supply chain sustainability efforts and stakeholder engagement." The company has 704 ENERGY STAR-labeled stores, 123 activated solar sites, #1 retailer for green power purchases, #2 overall and #12 for on-site generation, and 100% of all power used by Kohl's comes from renewable energy sources.

“Since Kohl’s EV charging station initiative began in December 2011, it has received extremely positive feedback from our customers who are excited about the added convenience,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer. “From our solar program to our green building efforts, Kohl’s has been pleased to be able to grow sustainability programs that make sense for our business, customers and communities – and our EV program is one more great example."

See: http://www.kohls.com/ and http://www.kohlsgreenscene.com/

Kohl’s Locations with Charging Stations by State

NEW LOCATIONS – Illinois
· #1267 Crete – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1300 Romeoville – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #419 Lemont – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality

NEW LOCATIONS – Indiana
· #610 Noblesville – 2 charging stations as a part of Duke Energy Initiative
· #347 Plainfield – 2 charging stations as a part of Duke Energy Initiative
· #1178 Carmel West – 2 charging stations as a part of Duke Energy Initiative

NEW LOCATIONS – Wisconsin
· Kohl’s Headquarters – 1 charging station in partnership with ECOtality
· Menomonee Falls Credit Center – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #89 Bayshore – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #223 Madison West – 3 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #496 Johnson Creek – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality

EXPANDED PROGRAM – Texas
· New – #366 Keller – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· New – #367 Lewisville – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· New – #371 South Arlington – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· New – #468 Mesquite – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· New – #553 Missouri City – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· New – #556 Pearland West – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· New – #1275 Katy South – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #644 Northwoods – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #642 Forum – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #1276 Kyle – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #1280 Leander – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

Arizona
· #685 Marana – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #638 North Phoenix – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1240 Tolleson – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1231 Surprise South – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality

California
· #756 Santee – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #958 South Chula Vista – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #618 Laguna Niguel – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #601 Ontario – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #752 Santa Clarita – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #757 Vacaville – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #758 Brentwood – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

Florida
· #1229 Lady Lake – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #1250 Lake Wales – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #955 Lakeland – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #1327 Palm Bay – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

Maryland
· #315 Silver Spring – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

Michigan
· #647 Chesterfield – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint
· #1305 Woodhaven – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

New York
· #417 Massapequa – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

Oregon
· #1002 Beaverton – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1108 Clackamas – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1004 Hillsboro – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality

Tennessee
· #522 Franklin – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #525 Murfreesboro – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #523 Nashville – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1056 Spring Hill – 4 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality

Virginia
· #268 Woodbridge –1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint

Washington (state)
· #1136 Redmond – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1003 Vancouver Southeast – 2 charging stations in partnership with ECOtality
· #1017 Marysville – 1 charging station in partnership with ChargePoint