Walmart's Massive EV Charging Network: Thousands of Locations by 2030

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, is making a bold move into the electric vehicle (EV) charging space. In an exclusive interview with State of Charge, Adam Hapel, General Manager of Retail EV Charging for Walmart, revealed the company's ambitious plans to build thousands of EV charging locations with tens of thousands of chargers across the United States by 2030.

Walmart's EV Charging Vision

Walmart's decision to enter the EV charging market stems from recognizing the growing needs of their customers who drive electric vehicles. With over 4,600 Walmart stores and 600 Sam's Club locations in the US, the company is uniquely positioned to create a vast network of charging stations.

"At Walmart, the customer is always number one," Hapel explained. "As we've seen more and more of our customers driving electric vehicles, coming to stores to shop, we realized there was an opportunity to provide an additional service or additional offering to those customers while they're at our sites or at our stores."

Scale and Scope of the Network

The scale of Walmart's planned EV charging network is impressive. According to Hapel, the company intends to build at thousands of their US locations by 2030. This includes both Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations.

"We're looking across the entire portfolio of our US operations here," Hapel stated. "The intention is that we're going to build at thousands of those locations by 2030 and, you know, potentially keep growing from there."

Charging Technology and Equipment

Walmart is not cutting corners when it comes to charging technology. The company plans to use high-speed 400 kW DC fast chargers from vendors like Alpitronic and ABB. Each charging station will be equipped with both CCS1 and NACS connectors, reflecting the changing landscape of EV charging standards.

"We're going to be a native NACS network as we know a lot of the OEMs are kind of switching over to that format, but it's going to take time for the installed base to kind of catch up," Hapel explained. "So for the first sites, we're really just installing 50/50. So it'll be CCS1 and NACS."

Customer Experience and Accessibility

Walmart is placing a strong emphasis on customer experience and accessibility. The company plans to position charging stations in convenient locations within their parking lots, typically around 200 feet from the store entrance. This strategy aims to balance convenience with the risk of non-EV vehicles occupying charging spots.

Accessibility for disabled users is also a priority. Hapel confirmed that all sites will be ADA compliant, with dedicated or priority spaces for disabled users where required.

Pricing and Value Proposition

True to Walmart's brand, the company aims to offer competitive pricing for EV charging. While exact pricing structures weren't revealed, Hapel emphasized Walmart's commitment to providing value.

"Save money, live better is our purpose here at Walmart and we really take that to heart in everything that we do and especially as we set pricing," Hapel stated. "Offering an everyday low price is a priority as we roll out the network."

Hapel also hinted at potential benefits for Walmart Plus members, suggesting an "exciting offering" for customers who are both Walmart Plus members and EV owners.

Advantages Over Existing Networks

Walmart's entry into the EV charging market comes with several unique advantages:

1. Existing Real Estate

Unlike other charging networks that need to secure locations and negotiate land leases, Walmart already owns vast parking lots at thousands of locations across the country.

2. On-Site Staff

Walmart stores have staff present during operating hours, potentially leading to better maintenance and customer support for charging stations.

3. Expansion Flexibility

As the property owner, Walmart can easily expand charging capacity at locations as demand grows, without needing to renegotiate with site hosts.

4. Integrated Retail Experience

Charging at Walmart allows customers to shop, dine, or run errands while their vehicle charges, creating a more convenient experience.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the advantages, Walmart's EV charging initiative faces some challenges:

1. Off-Hours Access

Most Walmart stores are not open 24/7, which could limit charging availability during late-night hours.

2. Competition with Existing Partners

Walmart has previously partnered with other charging networks to install stations at their locations. The company will need to navigate these relationships as they build out their own network.

3. Charging Speed vs Shopping Time

As charging speeds increase, Walmart will need to balance the convenience of fast charging with encouraging customers to spend time in their stores.

Impact on the EV Charging Landscape

Walmart's entry into the EV charging market could significantly impact the broader charging infrastructure in the United States. With plans for thousands of locations and tens of thousands of chargers, Walmart's network could rival or exceed existing networks in size and scope.

This massive expansion, combined with other networks' growth plans, suggests that concerns about charging infrastructure shouldn't deter potential EV buyers. As Hapel noted, "We're going to be in a good place within a couple of years. Infrastructure continues to mature here in the US."

Conclusion

Walmart's ambitious EV charging plans represent a major shift in the charging landscape. By leveraging its vast network of stores, existing customer base, and retail expertise, Walmart is positioned to become a major player in EV charging infrastructure.

While the success of this initiative will depend on execution, Walmart's resources and experience in customer service suggest they're well-equipped to tackle the challenges of building and maintaining a large-scale charging network.

As the EV market continues to grow, Walmart's entry could help accelerate adoption by providing convenient, accessible charging options for millions of Americans. It's a bold move that could play a significant role in the broader transition to electric vehicles in the United States.

For EV owners and potential buyers, Walmart's plans offer an exciting glimpse into a future where charging your car could be as simple and convenient as your weekly shopping trip. As this network rolls out over the coming years, it will be fascinating to see how it shapes the EV charging experience and the broader adoption of electric vehicles across the country.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/_UIVp8Upvj8?feature=shared