Costco EV charging business?

[iam-s-Hon]

When most home owners can charge for way less at home than in public, I would think the value proposition for Costco to offer DC fast charge widely is not there. It would be interesting to see how many Costco shoppers don't own a home with a garage and own an EV who can only charge in public. I'd bet that number is small.

I’d think it would be location specific, like urban areas where home-based chargers are less prevalent.

i was in downtown Philly abt 6 weeks ago and had to wait in line for bolts to recharge. They didn’t look like road trippers jumping from dcfc to dcfc. they looked like they were filling up their batteries for local driving.

so, I could see some convenience in charging up while spending an hour in Costco.

Sponsored

 

[david_quick]

The Costco in Verona, WI has L2 chargers managed by Blink. Those were required by the city as a condition of their building at that location. The business complex across the street from this Costco have L2 chargers managed by Chargepoint.

That may be why Costco made changes here. The commercial building codes say any change that requires a permit, which is pretty much anything, requires installation of EV charging infrastructure. The new hospital parking garage had to put 8 on each floor.

 

[dbsb3233]

The value proposition for DC fast charging is largely in the accompanying purchases during the charging period.

And even that is miniscule for DCFC relative to the bigger value with gas, because the foot traffic is a fraction of gas. Maybe 2 customers per hour per pump for DCFC, while 5-10x that for gas.

 

[dbsb3233]

This is what gets me about most current DCFS station buildouts. They are not built by retailers trying to get you to buy overpriced drinks and snacks. Maybe there will be some tipping point where convicence stores realize they are loosing revenue due to shriniking ICE ownership and will start putting in DCFC.

It takes 5-10x as many DCFC chargers to handle as many customers as each gas pump can. And they're damn expensive. Just doesn't equate to the gas foot traffic model.

 

[dbsb3233]

Hello there, neighbor.
I asked the Costco folks in Greenville SC if they were interested to installing DCFC at that location. They just finished a major upgrade to their gas pumps.
They said, we are looking into it.
How long, who knows. I guess when Walmart starts installing them at their renovated stores, they may get the message.
Just think about it. You offer Costco customers to DCFC across the country in your locations, who is interested to visit EA or any other charging stations.
Hopefully Costco can see the trees from the forest or vise versa.

Costco doesn't lend itself to small road trip purchases as much as Walmart does. Costco is more larger bulk items (like by the case) that you usually wanna take straight home, not on the road for the next 7 days. Some exceptions, of course.

 

[mdolan92869]

Costco doesn't lend itself to small road trip purchases as much as Walmart does. Costco is more larger bulk items (like by the case) that you usually wanna take straight home, not on the road for the next 7 days. Some exceptions, of course.

Unless you’re popping in for a monster slice of pizza or maybe a hotdog. I could easily see stopping at a Costco on a cross country road trip around lunch time for a recharge of the car and my belly!

 

[Glen Boise]

Saw a recent report (Network Architect?) that Walmart is testing installing their own chargers. They have two locations at present. Apparently, all those EA chargers on their properties have brought potential consumers to their doors. Not all will go in their stores. Some will and buy things.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

The value proposition for DC fast charging is largely in the accompanying purchases during the charging period. But, at a MEMBER warehouse, the likelihood that travelers are going to be members is low, hence all they get is the charging revenue and messing up their bathrooms, then the non-members trying to buy something and being told they cannot. Costco is shifting to checking membership BEFORE you enter now, and likely saying no to bathroom use. I've charged at a Sam's a few times, and never had an issue using the bathrooms.

They don't want the hassle of people going in to shop and outstaying their charging period either.

I agree in concept, but in some states, Costco is required to allow you to buy alcohol (and a dog / pizza) without membership. I’d go for that. The dog primarily, not the wine.

 

[RickMachE]

I agree in concept, but in some states, Costco is required to allow you to buy alcohol (and a dog / pizza) without membership. I’d go for that. The dog primarily, not the wine.

Correct. Prescriptions also in every state.

 

[Deleted member 19354]

Saw a recent report (Network Architect?) that Walmart is testing installing their own chargers. They have two locations at present. Apparently, all those EA chargers on their properties have brought potential consumers to their doors. Not all will go in their stores. Some will and buy things.

We have EA at a Walmart that has closedown. Big empty lot with 4 stations

 

[ChehRob]

On road trips I would favor charging at Costco - and lunch. Res purchase sizes they do have deli things that could be held in a small cooler. I currently sponge off my buying by going with my brother. If they added DC charging and a spot was generally available, I would buy a membership.

 

[RandyMache]

No, they aren't getting into the charging business. A few locations have chargers.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/features/costco-wont-add-ev-charging-stations

Your quoted article is from May 2023. The Costco charger

It's not me. But that's also in the post.

Remember, the chargers know your name and who you are. Maybe Costco checks for membership automatically....... (just guessing)

 

[OhioTodd]

The following convenience store chains are installing chargers (I'm sure there are more):

7 Eleven
Buc-ee's
Circle K
Sheetz
Wawa

Also:

Subway

ALso, Pilot/Flying-J in Ohio and other midwestern states partnered with EVGO. I charged Saturday at one just north of Toledo that been open for maybe 6 months. 350 KW chargers! I got 100-ish KW as I started and then I went in to the McDonald's that was part of the station for some food. EVGO had a nice Plug and Charge solution that has worked well the handful of times I've used it.
I also had the opportunity to use a Circle K in Alexandria, MN on my North Dakota trip. which was the best charger between Minneapolis and probably the new Electrify America in Jamestown, ND.

 

[RickMachE]

ALso, Pilot/Flying-J in Ohio and other midwestern states partnered with EVGO. I charged Saturday at one just north of Toledo that been open for maybe 6 months. 350 KW chargers! I got 100-ish KW as I started and then I went in to the McDonald's that was part of the station for some food. EVGO had a nice Plug and Charge solution that has worked well the handful of times I've used it.
I also had the opportunity to use a Circle K in Alexandria, MN on my North Dakota trip. which was the best charger between Minneapolis and probably the new Electrify America in Jamestown, ND.

Yeah, but to me Pilot / Flying-J is a truck stop, that is adding EV chargers. I was responding to the point that convenience stores should add EV chargers.

 

[Chryzmel]

Has anyone heard of Costco is getting into the EV Charging business? One article said yes and one no

I saw a solar charging station at Costco in Wisconsin last year.

Sponsored