Walmart has recently announced its intention to establish an electric vehicle charging network at thousands of its stores throughout the country, including Sam’s Club locations. The retail giant aims to complete the project by 2030, with the goal of making electric vehicle ownership more convenient, accessible, and affordable for the public.
At present, Walmart has almost 1,300 third-party chargers at 280 stores, which were installed in partnership with external suppliers. However, the company has now decided to expand this infrastructure by building its own nationwide EV fast charging network.
With its many locations located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans, Walmart plans to develop a charging solution for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The company aims to provide clean, bright, and safe charging stations while offering “Every Day Low Cost charging.”
Apart from expanding its EV charging network, Walmart plans to make its logistics emissions-free by 2040 and has already integrated EVs into its Walmart Plus delivery service. Walmart has collaborated with GM’s BrightDrop and Canoo to create last-mile delivery fleets, although the latter has recently paid a $1.5 million settlement after battling with the SEC.
As several companies, such as 7-Eleven, BP, and DC-America, announce nationwide EV charging solutions in the US, Walmart is not the only one creating a charging network. While Ikea and Starbucks are also looking to become charging hubs, they are partnering with specialized charging companies such as Electrify America and ChargePoint.
EV owners in the US currently face fragmented charging infrastructure, which makes it challenging to find reliable charging options as they often need to register with multiple charging network companies. In response, the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act offers incentives for groups constructing public-use charging stations to improve accessibility, abundance, and reliability.