Walmart EV Charging Network to Blanket US. First charge experience & review.

[hybrid2bev]

The world's largest retailer, Walmart, is getting into the EV charging game by launching the Walmart EV Charging Network and plans to have thousands of locations with tens of thousands of chargers installed by 2030.

AI SUMMARY:

Summary

• ? Walmart’s Major EV Charging Initiative: Walmart is launching its own massive EV charging network, aiming to install thousands of stations across the U.S. by 2030. Unlike other networks that lease spaces, Walmart owns the land, stores, and parking lots, allowing full control over installation, expansion, and maintenance.
• ? Why Walmart? Strategic Strengths:
  • 5,000+ retail locations (Walmart stores + Sam’s Clubs) ready for deployment.
  • 650 billion dollars in revenue gives them the cash to self-fund the entire expansion.
  • 90% of U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart.
  • Massive parking lots allow flexibility in charger placement without competing for space.
• Equipment and Tech Details:
  • Walmart will use 400 kW DC fast chargers: initially Alpatronic HYC 400 and ABB chargers.
  • Chargers will support both CCS1 and NACS connectors, ensuring compatibility with most EVs.
  • Customers will authenticate charging using the standard Walmart app (no need for a special EV app).
• ? Customer-Centric Design:
  • Chargers positioned "front and center" at store entrances for safety, visibility, and convenience.
  • Sites will be well-lit, ADA compliant, and offer pull-through stalls for trucks and trailers at some locations.
  • Walmart plans to train store associates to help with EV charging issues, offering a human support system alongside a customer care line.
• ? Affordable Pricing Strategy:
  • Walmart will offer "everyday low prices", not necessarily always the cheapest, but the best value based on local electricity costs and competition.
  • No national flat rate; prices will be location-specific.
  • Special benefits are coming for Walmart+ members tied to EV charging discounts.
• ? Leadership and Experience:
  • Walmart hired Adam Hapel, a former leader from EVgo and Rivian, to oversee the EV program, ensuring leadership with deep industry expertise.
  • Walmart’s approach benefits from years of observing EV customer behavior via their partnerships with third-party networks like Electrify America.
• ? Reliability as a Key Differentiator:
  • Walmart’s constant on-site presence (staff and store managers) will allow quick identification and fixing of broken chargers, unlike traditional networks where problems can linger.
  • Having in-house operations means faster expansion, repair, and upgrade abilities.
• ? Massive Infrastructure Impact:
  • Walmart’s initiative could single-handedly double the number of DC fast chargers in the U.S. by the end of the decade.
  • Even with government cuts to EV programs like NEVI, Walmart’s investment (plus efforts by Tesla, Ayanna, and others) suggests that U.S. EV infrastructure will thrive.
• ? Vision for the Future:
  • Walmart sees EV charging not just as a business move but as an extension of its omni-channel retail ecosystem.
  • The goal is for customers to shop, eat, and charge in a single stop, making Walmart a central hub for American EV drivers.
  • Their flexibility (charger type, site design, future-proofing with extra conduits) means the network can adapt and grow with the industry.

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[E90alex]

I wonder what that means for EA since a lot of EA sites are at Walmarts.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I wonder what that means for EA since a lot of EA sites are at Walmarts.

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't be surprised if Walmart will be buying them out.

 

[Nikos]

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't be surprised if Walmart will be buying them out.

As long as they, Walmart, don’t follow EA model. Few, mostly unreliable, and tacked in the corners of their parking lots.

 

[slider162]

I have gone this long without needing the Walmart app, no reason to start now.

 

[carguy55]

Hopefully their charging stations are maintained better than their bottle return stations here in Michigan...

CarGuy55

 

[Fremont Kid]

As long as they, Walmart, don’t follow EA model. Few, mostly unreliable, and tacked in the corners of their parking lots.

I sympathize if that has been your experience. EA has been the best charger system I have experienced. I admit that a few have not worked as well as they should but 99.99% of the time EA has worked great: from Illinois west to CA.

I say "Go, Walmart, Go!" Local operations should improve customer experience and reduce negative experiences such as yours.

 

[Sikkun]

As long as they, Walmart, don’t follow EA model. Few, mostly unreliable, and tacked in the corners of their parking lots.

You want the chargers to be in corners of the parking lot. You put chargers up front in prime locations and people ICE them way more often.

We are there to charge, not get better parking than handicap spots.

 

[NorthlandPhil]

Potentially a game changer. The story here is "owned and operated" by the world's largest retailer. This isn't a second party renting parking lot space. It's the store itself. Which means they will care about more than just how much you spend on EV charging, they will care about how many EV charging customers come into the store and how much they spend.

It means Walmart believes that EV charging is a real thing with real demand and they are committed to bringing it to people at a good competitive price.

I do wonder, though, why a big story is given exclusively to a youtuber. Surely, Walmart has contacts at WSJ, NYT, and other major news media.

 

[stellman]

As long as they, Walmart, don’t follow EA model. Few, mostly unreliable, and tacked in the corners of their parking lots.

In the interview with the Walmart rep they actually talk about that. Plus they talk about pull-through spots specifically.

 

[MonkeyNutz]

I wonder what that means for EA since a lot of EA sites are at Walmarts.

This was a big thing about 2 years ago where WalMart installed a couple of their own EV chargers at a couple store locations vs. having EA install theirs. Lots of speculation about why Walmart would need to continue partnerships or leases with EA when they could just do it themselves... Well, here we are and it looks like that's what they're going to do. EV charging brings customers and has people paying money to someone who leases space in their parking lots. Walmart is doing the smart thing here.

I'd imagine when EA's leases are about up at Walmart locations, they'll negotiate to keep them. Walmart will raise their rent... So it becomes more lucrative for Walmart if EA stays, or if they leave then the utility infrastructure is already in place and Walmart just has to set their charging pedestals. Either way, Walmart wins.

 

[Deezul]

I took a my first long road trip last year that required multiple fast charge stops along the way. I got lucky on the way down when the ChargePoint fast charging stations with one plug was open. But on the way back, I had to find another when someone used it. Walmart's EA stations always had room. And if I had 30 minutes to kill while charging, a walk around Wal-Mart was better than sitting in the car. A Climate controlled indoor track with reasonably priced snacks and restrooms? Perfect. If this comes to fruition, I'll plan my trips around stopping at Wal-Mart.

 

[HuntingPudel]

You want the chargers to be in corners of the parking lot. You put chargers up front in prime locations and people ICE them way more often.

We are there to charge, not get better parking than handicap spots.

That, and I much prefer to park out in BFE. Personally, I would prefer the chargers to be even farther out than they are. ?‍?

 

[Guss-E 2021]

I wonder what that means for EA since a lot of EA sites are at Walmarts.

The number of Walmart cabinets that will be installed at any given location will be dictated by existing, available chargers. So where there are already EA chargers, you may not see a lot of these newer ones.

 

[RickMachE]

This was announced by Walmart in 2023.

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