CUSTOMERS at McDonald's in Dunfermline may be able to fill up on more than burgers and fries with plans to add rapid charging points for electric vehicles in its car parks.
The fast food giant has more than 1,300 restaurants up and down the country – with a new outlet being built in the car park of the Tesco Extra store in Duloch – and says diners could eat their meals while their motor gets up to an 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes.
McDonald’s has teamed up with EV charging provider InstaVolt to introduce the charging points as standard across its new restaurants but it's also aiming to introduce them at existing drive-thrus where possible.
There are already outlets in Dunfermline at Asda Halbeath and Fife Leisure Park, while the firm announced this week that two charging ports would be installed at a branch in Glenrothes.
Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s UK & Ireland chief executive, said previously that the "ultimate ambition is to have more EV charging points on our premises than any other company in the UK and Ireland”.
In research commissioned by the fast food chain, more than half of people who do not own an electric car said that a lack of convenient charging points was a barrier to them switching.
Two-thirds said they would reconsider if there was better coverage.
Mr Pomroy added: “Appetite for electric vehicles, which will be a central part of the UK’s efforts to build back greener post COVID-19, is growing.
“This partnership and ambition takes advantage of our scale and is a real step forward for those already driving electric vehicles, as well as people considering making the switch.
“With over 1,300 restaurants, our ambition would mean you would never be far from a charging point.
“As we look toward a return to normal service post-COVID, drivers will be able to pop in for a coffee or a meal and get an 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes.
“We are known for speed and convenience, and this partnership with InstaVolt will provide just that for EV drivers.”
McDonald's was given the go-ahead in September last year to build a two-storey restaurant on the car park of the Tesco store on Turnstone Road, with 65 jobs created.
The new outlet, in the northern section of the car park across the road from the Aldi store, will include a digital drive-thru, play frame, seating, CCTV cameras, landscaping and associated works.
There had been 176 objections to the plans but councillors on the central and west planning committee voted 11-3 in favour of the proposals.
It was due to open this month but has been delayed.
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