Walmart to expand electric vehicle charging network

Walmart plans to install new fast-charging stations at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country.
Levy

Walmart is taking electric vehicle charging to new places. The retailer shared that it plans to install new electric vehicle fast-charging stations at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country.

In making the announcement, Vishal Kapadia, senior vice president of energy transformation at Walmart, said, “As our customers and members continue to look for ways to save money and live better, I am excited to announce our plans at Walmart and Sam’s Club in the U.S. to make electric vehicle  ownership more accessible, reliable, convenient and affordable for them across the country. By 2030, we intend to build our own EV fast-charging network at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations coast-to-coast. This would be in addition to the almost 1,300 EV fast-charging stations we already have available at more than 280 U.S. facilities."

Kapadia said that with a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver a convenient charging option that will help make EV ownership possible whether people live in rural, suburban or urban areas.

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"Our goal is to meet the needs of customers and members where they live and open the road to those driving across the country. Easy access to on-the-go charging is a game-changer for drivers who have been hesitant to purchase an EV for concerns they won’t be able to find a charger in a clean, bright and safe location when needed," Kapadia said.

Kapadia continued, "What’s more, with our chargers located on site with our Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Clubs, we can offer customers and members the convenience of being able to pick up essentials for their families or grab a bite to eat while they charge. And in line with our purpose, we aim to offer Every Day Low Price charginghelping ease transportation costs, still the second highest household cost for much of our country."

"At the same time, as more drivers transition to EVs, our network growth will help expand domestic EV charging capacity across states. We see our commitment today as a natural extension of our work to help customers and members live better, easier and more sustainable livesa big win for busy families and drivers everywhere, our country and the planet. This plan marks the latest investment in our efforts to transform our business and product supply chains to be more regenerative, in this case helping reduce emissions and increase efficiencies for customers. For example, we announced tests across our supply chain vehicle and fuel classes toward our goal of achieving zero emissions by 2040. And as of last year, many of our W+ customers have already been receiving their deliveries via electric vehicles," Kapadia said.

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Kapadia said, "The way vehicle ownership looks is changing fast, and so is our business. Today, we are as known for convenience as we are for Every Day Low Price. We are committed to providing customers, members, associates, suppliers and our communities at large with the services they need and want, in a way that fits their lifestylemaking EV ownership easy and simple is no exception."

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