Walmart EV Charging Network plans to blanket the U.S. -- First charge experience & review

[JayGT4]

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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[rjf]

That is tremendous news!

 

[sor]

This is great news, but I wonder what it means for all of the EA Walmart locations. Will they just get replaced and no net gain?

I just got back from an 800 mile road trip, picking up my wife’s EX90. Very different car from the Macan but so far it’s brilliant. There were literally 42 DCFC charging stations we could have stopped at (including the compatible Tesla SC), things are getting real. We only needed two. That same route a few years ago had maybe 8 locations.

 

[SteveInKirkland]

I'm thrilled for Walmart's commitment and I hope the installations happen faster than expected. I regularly use a Walmart / EA charger CCS 350 kW charger and I would love the option of a 400 kW Alpitronic at every Walmart to help power my current and future EVs.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

I m thrilled for as we all know, this is the kind of change that will five years down the road (if not sooner), take away most the legit issue fo those who can not have a Level 2 at home or at work, that charging is for them a PIA.

The U.S’ charging network is far from being as robust as in many other countries and as well all also know that is not incidental for EV purchases/use here being far, far from world class compared to other places that have better, more convenient charging availability networks in their countries.

As we all also know, lack of convenient charging is still cited as, depending on the survey, as the #1 or # 2 or # 3 reason why we do not have more EV converts. And with 90% of the U.S. population live within 10 miles from a Walmart (most having one “close by”), this decision will be a key factor for higher U.S. EV adoption.

GREAT news indeed. Thanks to JayGT4 for finding and posting that video and summarizing so well here.

 

[craz8]

I think there’s a missing 3rd option for charging at ‘daily destinations’ - supermarket/costco/restaurants etc - where I don’t need 350, but 7kw isn’t useful. Here I think 25-50kw chargers will allow your regular stops to provide significant charge during your 1-2 hour visit. You can install so many more of these than a 350 for the same electrical service

That could be the thing that helps those without home charging significantly without having to plan a trip to full EA chargers

Extra 400kw chargers for road trips is cool too!

 

[vanjwilson]

This is great news, but I wonder what it means for all of the EA Walmart locations. Will they just get replaced and no net gain?

...

I watched that video, and although Walmart didn't say they were putting chargers in all of their 5000+ locations, they implied that the majority would get chargers. Also, in that video Tom mentioned that over 200 Walmarts have EA stations. (Google search AI says the exact number is 280.)

So, even if they eventually supplant all the EA stations when the contracts run out, I think it's safe to assume a very large positive gain in the number of Walmart locations with chargers.

 

[Pingechoreply]

Wow- this could really shake things up. So many places out my way (Arizona) with no charging other than Tesla. Right now there is exactly one place to charge for me gong from the Phoenix area (where I can charge at home, so don't need anything), to my mom's place south of Tucson. Wonder how fast they can get these done. I assume they have the power capacity the locations to make it happen without 4 to 5 year planning to opening cycles, but who knows.

 

[Yves]

We see also more and more at supermarkets installing DC chargers in the EU, now I do see the benefit of a 400DC charger if you are really in a hurry but shared 150‘s are the sweet spot, you can place more and most people are like 30 minutes or more in the shop …. So instead of 4 shared 400kwDC chargers putting 10 or more shared 150 or 200 makes more sense for the future. Especially at malls massive 50kwDC or 25kwDC would be great …

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