For a while, there were quiet whispers about Walmart’s ambitious move into the electric vehicle (EV) charging space. Now, the retail giant is ready to unveil its grand EV charging plans, a development that could significantly reshape the experience for electric car drivers across the US.
Walmart’s EV charging manager shared details of their vision first. It is clear Walmart is taking EV charging very seriously indeed. They plan to use their main strengths for this system. Things like cost and convenience are really important for them. They want to offer unique value to their customers for sure.
Walmart’s ambition is very big; it is quite striking. They will add chargers at thousands of stores by 2030. There are plans for even more expansion next decade also. We do not know how many chargers each store gets. But the design will surely fit local needs very well. The number of chargers depends on the local market condition. This includes how many EVs are nearby and other networks.
This focus on local needs is very important indeed. If an area needs more chargers, Walmart will provide them. Crucially, sites will be designed so they are quite flexible. Walmart will watch how much the chargers get used. Infrastructure can take on more chargers as use increases. This prevents annoying waits at busy charging locations also.
Reliability stands as another important area of focus. They picked Alpitronic and ABB after testing many different suppliers. This ensures a fast and reliable charging experience for everyone. While these are choices now, they are open to other brands. They will consider other high-quality suppliers in the future. Using chargers is easy no matter what the hardware seems like. Drivers just use the Walmart app for starting and paying.
Using the Walmart app is a really convenient way to do it. Customers know the app for shopping and can do charging too. This simplifies things, avoiding the need for lots of different apps. Other networks often make you download more applications for users.
While other charging networks like Electrify America already have a presence at Walmart locations, this new initiative raises intriguing questions about the future landscape. Walmart’s existing partners have, for the most part, seemed amenable to these plans, but as Walmart expands its charging infrastructure, a reassessment of these partnerships appears likely, hinting at potential shifts in the charging setup soon.
To test things, I visited the first official site in Texas. McKinney, Texas, is the first official network site you see. There are two other test sites also in Texas and Arkansas. This site has four Alpitronic chargers that serve eight bays. Each charger has NACS and CCS1 connectors to charge two cars. The 400 kW power splits between two cars as needed. Each cable can give up to 600 amps for fast charging.
However, this new venture highlights the evolving nature of charging technology, as cars equipped with CHAdeMO connectors, such as some older Nissan LEAF models, won’t be compatible with these newer charging spots. While the industry is gradually transitioning to CCS1 and NACS standards, this change inevitably impacts a segment of the EV market, which is an important consideration for many drivers.
During the test, I charged a GMC Hummer EV there. The truck successfully pulled more than 300 kW for a bit. Charging from one percent to 53 percent took 27 minutes. It added 100 kWh of electric power to the battery. This session cost 42 dollars, or 42 cents per kWh. This shows these sites can offer really fast charging speeds. You can add a lot of range to your car pretty fast here.
Importantly, the cost of charging won’t be uniform across all locations, much like other charging networks. Prices will fluctuate based on local operational expenses, with regional electricity rates playing a significant role. To further enhance customer loyalty, there’s a possibility that Walmart Plus members might enjoy discounted charging rates, aligning perfectly with Walmart’s long-standing strategy of rewarding its most dedicated shoppers.
A big challenge is the money needed for each charging spot. One site with ten fast chargers can cost $300k to $500k. This cost is big for small charging companies, for sure. But it is not as big for a huge company like Walmart.
Walmart expects over $700 billion in money next year. Paying for chargers is not a money problem for this company. It is just about their plan and if they really want it. Their money lets them build quickly at thousands of places. Other companies cannot match this speed for sure now.
Putting chargers at stores gives practical benefits too for users. Walmart stores have staff there during most business hours. If a customer needs help, a trained staff is right there. You do not get this kind of help at charging spots without staff.
The presence of on-site staff addresses a critical pain point often experienced with charging networks: the timely identification and repair of malfunctioning chargers. Typically, reporting a broken charger relies on mobile apps, which can lead to delays or unnoticed issues. At Walmart, however, customers can directly inform store management about any faulty charger or damaged cable, ensuring a quicker resolution.
Directly communicating with a store manager appears to expedite the resolution process, unlike feedback submitted via an app, which might be addressed much later by remote staff. Store managers are motivated to resolve customer issues promptly, aiming to prevent recurring complaints and ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Walmart’s burgeoning charging network holds immense potential to be a true game-changer, with projections suggesting the establishment of 2,000 to 3,000 stations by 2030, offering a total of 25,000 to 30,000 charging points that can rapidly charge all types of vehicles at speeds up to 400 kW.
For comparison, Tesla built its network over 13 years. Tesla has around 2,600 sites with 30,000 charging spots now. Walmart might match Tesla’s numbers within five years easily. They use their land and money to build this network out. They have money and prime spots and want this fast growth now.
This huge build-out affects Walmart’s competitors also. Think about Costco and Target and how they are affected here. They may need to add chargers or lose EV-driving shoppers. They risk losing customers to Walmart because of this change. Convenience is a big draw for customer choice now. Shopping and charging at once makes Walmart look very good indeed. People may pick Walmart over stores lacking charging spots.
For individuals who lack the convenience of home charging, Walmart’s charging stations offer a vital solution, allowing them to power up their vehicles effortlessly during their regular shopping trips, eliminating the need for separate charging detours. As a brand synonymous with value, Walmart is expected to provide competitive pricing, potentially even undercutting other charging providers and offering significant savings for budget-conscious EV drivers.
While some expressed concern when a government EV charging initiative concluded, Walmart is now spearheading the development of a nationwide network accessible to all. The emergence of the Ionna network and the continued expansion by Tesla, Electrify America, and EVgo further bolster the public fast-charging landscape in the US, promising increased choice and affordability for drivers everywhere.
