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

[Coffs]

Walmart will offer "everyday low prices", not necessarily always the cheapest, but the best value based on local electricity costs and competition.

If the competition in the area is 65c per kW then they can charge 64c and be best value.

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[Billyk24]

Well put.

I do find it a bit .... For walmart to say "leading the charge". In the two years between 2023 and 2025 they installed two stations with maybe 20 stalls? GAME CHANGER???

I would have to look to what the other networks installed, but i promise it was more. I got a pretty spanky 24 stall supercharger near ish.

The two false notes in the 2025 update were "no charger app installed, have to use Walmart app", and 24 hour amenities, as my Walmart is not 24 hours. Otherwise, hooraa, sure, moar chargers!

My analysis, Walmart brand affiliation does not overlap much with EVs. Idk why Walmart would do this, except press releases. Which they can do installing minimal chargers.

This minimum number of chargers installed in two years might be related to unable to obtain needed hardware to proceed with more installation.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

I don’t think your typical Walmart shoppers would be driving EVs…

Maybe I’m wrong.

Anyway, more charging stations the better it is.

 

[Snakebitten]

I don't know if EV drivers are yet categorically "typical" drivers, are we?

Admittedly I am very typical when I'm driving my F150. Couldn't be more typical.
But the typical F150 owner doesn't daily an EV.

I live rural, small town, and avoid the local Walmart and Home Depot if there is an alternative business in town with the same products. I suppose it's my age/era? (near 70)
But I don't have an axe to grind with Walmart necessarily. So if their DCFC offering is the best available for my circumstances, I'd certainly buy my electrons from them.

 

[Herbknowsit]

I've been wondering for months if a large company (let alone ginormous) negotiated to buy charging statins from vendors if the math would begin to really favor being a re-seller of "juice" for EV's. Set aside the shopping inside the store, does anyone know what Walmart could make in profit from these stations? They certainly have leverage when negotiating prices from vendors which I learned back in the day trying to sell them some product. Hell their buildings are big enough for some serious solar panel arrays as well.
My wife jokes that we should put a sign up out front hawking charging since we generate some solar and have a decent deal from our utility company. If we charged 65 cents we'd be able to upgrade our wine buys!

 

[knemchak]

I don't know if EV drivers are yet categorically "typical" drivers, are we?

Admittedly I am very typical when I'm driving my F150. Couldn't be more typical.
But the typical F150 owner doesn't daily an EV.

I live rural, small town, and avoid the local Walmart and Home Depot if there is an alternative business in town with the same products. I suppose it's my age/era? (near 70)
But I don't have an axe to grind with Walmart necessarily. So if their DCFC offering is the best available for my circumstances, I'd certainly buy my electrons from them.

I own an F150, F250 and a Mache. Maybe we are 'typical'?

 

[Blue highway]

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

I hope that all chargers are as far away from the building as possible...

 

[Blue highway]

Up until about 5 months ago when I got an EV, I bought gas very regularly at Costco. We'd do our shopping and then fill up on the way out. I've filled up once since then.

As it is, I would not charge at Walmart (or Costco) because charging in my garage is cheaper and more convenient. But if we were to move to an apartment, it could become a very realistic possibility. I wonder if that's the market Walmart is thinking about here and not so much the long distance travelers. Why else would it matter that there's a store within 10 miles of your home? Having an EV charger within 10 miles that's convenient and affordable could make all the difference for those without access to home chargers. And, hey, your almost out of Cheetos anyway...

I see all DCFC as road trip items, not daily life things. But lots of people buy EVs with a gas station mentality... with no ability or intention of charging at home. That's why I want the chargers a far from the front door as possible.

 

[NorthlandPhil]

I don’t think your typical Walmart shoppers would be driving EVs…

Maybe I’m wrong.

Anyway, more charging stations the better it is.

Today, maybe that's the case. But that's the real game changer here. When the store you shop at has EV chargers, that's gotta do something to the mindset.

 

[moog]

I don’t think your typical Walmart shoppers would be driving EVs…

Maybe I’m wrong.

Anyway, more charging stations the better it is.

That's not who this is for.
Walmart is trying to turn their stores into "gas station mini-marts" for EV drivers.

Gas stations make more profit in their mini-mart sales of snacks and drinks vs gasoline.

Walmart will try to capture this revenue stream from EV drivers.

Pretty smart. Wonder what has taken them so long to realize this?

 

[RickMachE]

That's not who this is for.
Walmart is trying to turn their stores into "gas station mini-marts" for EV drivers.

Gas stations make more profit in their mini-mart sales of snacks and drinks vs gasoline.

Walmart will try to capture this revenue stream from EV drivers.

Pretty smart. Wonder what has taken them so long to realize this?

They announced this 2 years ago. They probably started discussing it 6 months to a year prior. So, not so long to realize it.

 

[RickMachE]

I don’t think your typical Walmart shoppers would be driving EVs…

Maybe I’m wrong.

Anyway, more charging stations the better it is.

There are two types of drivers that use DC fast chargers - locals without home chargers (or Uber drivers that can't make the day on one charge), and travelers.

Your comment about typical Walmart shoppers could apply to the first, but I'd say that apartment dwellers or house renters are exactly Walmart shoppers.

Travelers don't have to be. You stop to charge, and need to use the restroom. Now, you're inside the store. Grab that sandwich / salad / fruit / etc. you need while you're charging. Now, maybe you become a Walmart shopper. Or, maybe you're just a Walmart shopper when you travel. Either way they win.

 

[stoopid]

I don’t think your typical Walmart shoppers would be driving EVs…

Maybe I’m wrong.

I assume you're referring to those EV owners who buy more expensive models/generally are of a higher income bracket. Based on the macroeconomic figures I've seen posted, more higher income people are shopping Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart nowadays. The stigma of shopping at 'value' retailers has almost vanished. Everyone's feeling the pinch from higher costs across the board. Necessity will always win over cosmetics/appearances.

 

[LNFitz]

I'm in the "traveler" category and wish I could avoid the Walmart stop on long trips. No coffee. No place for a nice sit down with a sandwich. No windows. Often no close coffee shops or restaurants. No green place or a sidewalk to somewhere. I guess yay that they are doing this but would love to see it also address travelers' needs.

 

[Billyk24]

Walmart EV chargers could be a game charger for the rural fly over areas lacking interstate highways. Corporate buying power could justify installing EV chargers in such areas where traditional EV charging companies would not.

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