Daily EV news · US · 27 July 2026

Southern fast food chain Bojangles opened its first DC fast charging hub in May at a Savannah, Georgia restaurant, developed with XLR8 America and Energy and Environmental Design Services. The New York Times reports the company plans to install 85 chargers by early 2027 as part of a national rollout across key US markets, with a second site due in Charlotte later this year. Drivers typically stop for 20 to 40 minutes, making fast food locations a logical fit for charging infrastructure.

Why it matters: The rollout adds a significant restaurant chain to the charge and dine sector, creating procurement opportunities for DC fast charging equipment and installation services across dozens of US locations. The 85 charger target by early 2027 signals a multi year pipeline for CPOs and contractors specialising in hospitality site deployments.

Battery materials company Sila has raised $300 million in private equity to accelerate US production of its silicon-carbon anode and fund a second phase expansion of its Moses Lake, Washington plant. The 160 acre site began operations in autumn 2025 with 2 GWh Phase 1 capacity and is engineered to expand to as much as 250 GWh over five years. Sila's Titan Silicon anode delivers 20 to 40 per cent higher energy density than traditional graphite, enabling smaller, lighter batteries capable of faster charging.

Why it matters: Higher energy density anodes directly reduce battery pack size and cost per kilowatt hour, lowering the capital expenditure for EV charging operators deploying battery buffered rapid chargers. A secure US supply of advanced anode materials also de-risks procurement timelines for North American charging infrastructure projects reliant on domestic battery production.