The Future of EV charging is… Walmart

[electricpig]

They've certainly hit a pace that dictates they're pretty serious... very scattershot on the locations so far, but very exciting to see.

I will say little details like putting the nacs cords on the "wrong side" of the chargers feels like someone who doesn't drive an EV is running their rollout, but still impressed.

As for the cables on the wrong side, they have publicly stat they will be switching those around in the coming months. Also adding credit card readers, which are already active at some locations.

Sponsored

 

[Shmoe]

As for the cables on the wrong side, they have publicly stat they will be switching those around in the coming months. Also adding credit card readers, which are already active at some locations.

I get it, but I feel like that should've been something someone who actually drives EVs would've been planning from the outset.

 

[electricpig]

I get it, but I feel like that should've been something someone who actually drives EVs would've been planning from the outset.

I'll give them the benefit of doubt, as they are starting from Zero and launching hundreds to possibly a thousand or more sites at once. Not surprising a detail like that could be missed, as this is farrrr less critical than literally thousands of other items. Big positive is they are changing what they are doing to be better. Learning from mistakes is often far more important than the best plan. Mistakes ALWAYS happen in any project of any scale.

 

[Jseis]

You'd think it'll make sense if Costco does it since time in Costco is longer than at a Walmart. That being said, there's a study that said 90% of the population lives 10 minutes from a Walmart.
Range anxiety? What range anxiety?

The S.O. and I have our Costco runs down to 35 minutes on slow Thursday afternoons. Takes longer to drive out and back. Walmart‘s across the street too!!

 

[RickLightning]

Many on the forum don’t read everything all the time so… so what? Well, on a simple general search, been two years since any thing posted on this forum.

Walmart, is more than following through on their planning and clearly are playing to their best hand. And in the current Administration’s negative approach to electrification… , nice to see a major retailer forgoing ahead.

this quote speaks to their position... “expanding the way we serve customers“. Implication is that chargers mainstream in parking, not located in the back corner. Cheers!

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...nket-us-first-charge-experience-review.26700/

They are doing exactly what they stated in 2023. https://corporate.walmart.com/news/...n-to-expand-electric-vehicle-charging-network

Please explain "more than following through".

 

[bmwhitetx]

Well, on a simple general search, been two years since any thing posted on this forum.

Tip: I find it best when searching to click the box for titles only. Cuts out a lot of noise and you see just threads instead of individual posts. Then you’ll see the threads Rick mentions from last year with replies as recent as April.

“Search titles only” works best on broad one-word topics like Walmart, battery, DCFC, etc. For specific items it usually returns nothing. So I use a combination of both search methods.

 

[jefrank]

Makes sense. Costco sells lots of gas at competitive prices and Walmart has really big parking lots... And DCFC really aligns with “quick“ shopping, say less than 45 minutes.

However… EV charging away from home (for us) is 8X-9X our local kWh price. that’s no real deal from our perspective. Maybe we are spoiled at $.064/kWh. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

https://www.theautopian.com/walmart-is-the-future-of-ev-charging-in-america/

Wish my home charging was anywhere near 6.4 cents per kwh. Best I can do here in Michigan on Consumers Energy is just over 15 cents before taxes/fees by charging between 11pm and 6am weekdays or anytime on the weekend. Still beats anything at a fast charger, though.

 

[jefrank]

The S.O. and I have our Costco runs down to 35 minutes on slow Thursday afternoons. Takes longer to drive out and back. Walmart‘s across the street too!!

How do you find all the neat new stuff that you didn't know you needed in just 35 minutes? lol

 

[RickLightning]

All the good chargers kind of bypass Michigan. No Ionna, no walmart...

An IONNA has now been announced for Michigan. https://www.plugshare.com/location/2093734

 

[Granger Ford]

Wouldn't that be something!

 

[Shmoe]

An IONNA has now been announced for Michigan. https://www.plugshare.com/location/2093734

An actual rechargery too, not a rechargery relay where they're partnered with a business. Good for you guys.

 

[Rayden]

For real up to date info on all things Walmart EV Charging check out Landon's channel. He updates it every week and details where new stations have opened, new permits spotted for installs, equipment ratings, etc..
http://www.youtube.com/@TheArkansaseTraveler

This guy does a weekly show that updates on new charging locations across pretty much EVERY brand throughout the U.S. Kind of nerdy/dry, but does a great job of showing all the new additions.
http://www.youtube.com/@thenetworkarchitectchannel

These 2 channels specifically have really made me much less concerned about travel, as I am seeing just how much is being added and how quickly it is happening.

 

[chl]

Glad to hear it is moving along well.
There is a Walmart just off an exit from almost every highway I travel these days.

Now if only Walmart would import and sell EV's from China, that'd be a really big deal.

Giving US EV makers some competition would be a good thing to get them off their butts and give consumers a break on price.

OK sure, the Slate is slated to have an under $25k MSRP, the new Ford under $30k, that's a start.

If the next congress could restore the EV tax credit, a heck of a lot more people would be able to buy an EV and still send their kids to college. It would shake up the auto industry in our country, but I think that might be a good thing in the long run.

More EVs should mean cleaner air, etc. What's not to like about that?

I'm a relatively 'old' guy, so I don't think gasoline prices are coming down any time soon due to the latest war.
Every war seems to start with the promise that "it'll be over by Christmas" or some such non-sense by politicians. Never happens. Sadly.

Just imagine if our economy was not so dependent on the petroleum industry...I do.

 

[Jseis]

Wish my home charging was anywhere near 6.4 cents per kwh. Best I can do here in Michigan on Consumers Energy is just over 15 cents before taxes/fees by charging between 11pm and 6am weekdays or anytime on the weekend. Still beats anything at a fast charger, though.

Our local public utility district buys most of their power from the Bonneville Power Administration, a massive federal power authority-supplier overseeing power from many Columbia River dams… Our rates have been going up slowly… . 5 year ago $.063, now $.064, I expect $.066 next year. Unbelievably inexpensive.

 

[jefrank]

Our local public utility district buys most of their power from the Bonneville Power Administration, a massive federal power authority-supplier overseeing power from many Columbia River dams… Our rates have been going up slowly… . 5 year ago $.063, now $.064, I expect $.066 next year. Unbelievably inexpensive.

I used to live in a small small town here in Michigan that was its own electric utility. They'd buy power at wholesale and resell it to the citizens. I was still paying something around $0.12 but there was no time of day differentiation, same price all day, every day. I miss that.

Sponsored