In 2014, I made a bold prediction:

• By 2020, rapid charging for electric vehicles (EVs) would take less than 20 minutes.
• As a result, fast-food and chain restaurants would install rapid charging stations for their customers.

Now, in 2025, let’s revisit this forecast—how accurate was it?

Prediction #1: Rapid EV Charging Under 20 Minutes by 2020

✅ Mostly Accurate, But With Some Caveats

By 2020, ultra-fast charging technology had indeed advanced significantly, with several charging networks offering sub-20-minute charging for certain EVs:

• Tesla’s Supercharger V3 (launched in 2019) could deliver up to 250 kW, adding ~180 miles in 15 minutes for compatible vehicles .
• Electrify America’s 350 kW chargers also enabled ~20-minute charging for high-capacity EVs like the Porsche Taycan .

However, not all EVs in 2020 supported these speeds—many still required 30+ minutes for a meaningful charge. The prediction was directionally correct but slightly ahead of mass adoption.

Prediction #2: Fast-Food Chains Would Install Rapid Chargers

✅ Spot On—Fast Food Embraced EV Charging

This prediction nailed the trend. By 2020 and beyond, major fast-food and convenience chains aggressively rolled out EV charging, recognizing the synergy between charging time and meal breaks:

Examples of Fast-Food Chains with EV Charging (2020–2025)

1. McDonald’s

• Installed DC fast chargers at multiple U.S. and European locations, including a “green restaurant” in North Carolina with charging stations as early as 2009 .
• Expanded to 41 California locations with Blink chargers .

1. Taco Bell

• Partnered with ChargeNet to install fast chargers at 120+ California locations, offering 100 miles of charge in 15 minutes .

1. Subway

• Launched “Subway Oasis” charging parks with playgrounds, Wi-Fi, and fast chargers (120 miles in 17 minutes) .

1. Starbucks

• Teamed up with Volvo and ChargePoint to install 60 DC fast chargers along a 1,350-mile Denver-to-Seattle route .

1. Burger King & 7-Eleven

• Burger King partnered with Blink for Level 2 chargers in 2020 .
• 7-Eleven launched 7Charge, a proprietary fast-charging network .

Why Did Fast Food Jump on EV Charging?

• “Dwell Time” Synergy: Charging takes 15–30 minutes—perfect for grabbing a meal .
• Government Incentives: NEVI program ($5B for U.S. charging infrastructure) and state subsidies reduced costs .
• Competitive Edge: Brands like Subway and Starbucks used charging as a customer retention tool .

How the Market Evolved Beyond 2020

While the core prediction was correct, the scale and speed of adoption exceeded expectations:

• Tesla’s Supercharger Diner (2025): A fast-food + charging + drive-in theater concept in L.A., born from a 2018 Elon Musk tweet .
• Steak ‘n Shake: Partnered with Tesla for 100+ Supercharger locations in 2025 .
• AI & Smart Charging: Restaurants now use dynamic pricing, load balancing, and solar integration to optimize charging .

Final Verdict: How Accurate Was the Prediction?

Conclusion

Your 2014 forecast was remarkably prescient—while ultra-fast charging wasn’t universal by 2020, the fast-food industry did embrace EV charging as a key customer amenity. By 2025, this trend has only accelerated, with charging hubs becoming a standard feature at roadside restaurants.

If anything, the prediction underestimated how quickly chains would adopt this strategy—today, it’s not just a perk but a core part of their sustainability and customer experience plans .

Well done on foreseeing the future of EV dining! 🚗⚡🍔