Walmart EV Charging Network to Blanket US. First Charge Experience & Review

[TaxmanHog]

New report from @tommolog



Summary (via AI)

• 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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[RickLightning]

Since Walmart announced this in 2024 (or was it 2023), I don't know what's "exclusive".

Here's a guy with updates starting in Jan 2024...

 

[B177y]

More chargers, more better.

 

[tommolog]

Since Walmart announced this in 2024 (or was it 2023), I don't know what's "exclusive".

Here's a guy with updates starting in Jan 2024...

It's exclusive because this is the first time the company has offered an interview to anyone to disclose details of the network. Updates on press releases are great and needed, but getting the information directly from the General Manager of the network - for the first time - is another thing entirely.

 

[Tony Burgh]

More chargers, more better.

Mo better, mo better.

 

[davehu]

love it! I've used a couple of EA's in Walmarts and have always thought it was a great fit. Walmarts are everywhere and most importantly they cover virtually ever small town that's off the freeway. And they have food, snacks, and usually a fast food location (subway, mcdonals, etc) love it!

 

[FloridaMan655321]

love it! I've used a couple of EA's in Walmarts and have always thought it was a great fit. Walmarts are everywhere and most importantly they cover virtually ever small town that's off the freeway. And they have food, snacks, and usually a fast food location (subway, mcdonals, etc) love it!

Except that means you have to actually enter a Walmart.....

 

[Firn]

Except that means you have to actually enter a Walmart.....

Now where is that guy who bought a bucket from Walmart so he could take a leak in the parking lot and not go into walmart...

This is a wise move by Walmart. With Tesla around here frequently being in Meijer parking lots we enter and shop while charging, it absolutely drives business.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

it makes sense for any establishment that wants a 20-40 minute shopper - I have a local to me Walmart with 6 Tesla chargers on the edge of the lot (convenience station) in Dryden. It can be a good place to charge, pick up a few things for a trip and get going.

 

[Daragh]

I really hope it happens but talk is cheap, and plans are great, I’ll believe it when I see it on the ground! Personally I only ever charge away from home on long trips. I’m not going to charge for 15 mins when I can get home and charge for a quarter of the cost.

 

[Ted23Lightning]

Come on Wegmans! Please be next

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

up here we have Canadian Tire and lots of these stores have Tesla or Flo chargers already.
In Winnipeg there is a Tesla Super charger near to Earle's - a nice resturant to stop and eat at.
I hope this trend continues to grow - more charging options is more-better.
I would like to see them build out pull-through chargers along the main hwys. Even if they charge more per kWh for them to pay for it. It could open up towing in a whole new way.

 

[Scorpio3d]

New report from @tommolog

Great interview/episode!
Thanks for all you do for the EV world.
If you’re ever in the metroplex again and need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Do you have the address of the McKinney location?-there are three supercenters in McKinney.

 

[Texas Dan]

This information seams to be a little behind the times. There are four Walmarts within few miles of me that have these new chargers well under construction. I think the announcement that these Walmarts were going to get chargers was over a year ago.

I charge at home so unfortunately the chargers at these local Walmarts won’t do me much good. But there are a lot of Walmarts along my regular route to Colorado that I would really like to see get chargers. Even some of the Walmarts that have chargers really could use more.

The last couple of times I tried to charge at Sam’s Club in Colorado Springs I couldn’t because all the chargers were in use. I had to drive to Pueblo to charge. It’s funny how the excitement of watching the growth of EV adoption can turn to frustration when you can’t find a free charger.

 

[electricpig]

I live near one of the rest sites. They installed four chargers, three different times testing configurations. There has been a unit down or damaged plug a few times, but they were fixed quickly. Of course with one site tyou would think that would be easy, but with one site, it's impossible to justify having dedicated people for upkeep. So the fact there have been quick repairs so far, is a good sign IMHO.

Also consider that wait times for transformers is reportedly 2-3 years. That means they would need to have blanket orders in for transformers, and will install new sites as hardware allows. Meaning they already have to have baked in, massive commitments for at least 2-3 years of installation commitments.

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