Walmart Begins Building Out Nationwide EV Charging Network Across America
6 66Walmart, the world's largest retailer, will be adding spaces for electric vehicle charging to parking lots in 19 different states, reports MLive: The move follows up on a plan announced in 2023 to build a network of charging stations at Walmart and Sam's Club stores throughout the U.S... "With a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans, we are uniquely positioned to deliver a convenient charging option that will help make EV ownership possible whether people live in rural, suburban or urban areas," wrote Walmart Senior Vice President of Energy Transformation, Vishal Kapadia in 2023. Walmart plans to have the nationwide network operating by 2030.
Walmart plans to have the nationwide network operating by 2030.
Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader Geoffrey.landis for sharing the news.
6 comments
Re:Probably one station per state (Score: 5, Informative)
by geekmux ( 1040042 ) on Sunday February 01, 2026 @03:51PM (#65962930)
Just so they can say they are in 19 states.
There are over 4,500 Wallmart stores in America. Over 10,000 worldwide.
Do the per-state math. I'm pretty sure they're well beyond the playground look-at-me antics of "just so they can say".
Besides, it's a test. Walmart cares about profits. Every time. If it's not profitable, they'll get rid of it.
Re:Probably one station per state (Score: 5, Interesting)
by Smidge204 ( 605297 ) on Sunday February 01, 2026 @04:00PM (#65962946)
Many (most?) WalMarts already have Electrify America charging spots. They are simply cutting out the third party.
This could potentially be good since WalMart would now be directly responsible for maintenance of the equipment, and if they are unavailable it reflects poorly on them directly.
=Smidge=
Re:Kinda weird (Score: 5, Insightful)
by geekmux ( 1040042 ) on Sunday February 01, 2026 @03:44PM (#65962920)
What's the actual play here for Walmart? There doesn't seem to be enough market penetration for EVs (especially not in "rural America") for the investment to be worth it, unless Walmart plans on using the charging stations for their own vehicles somehow.
I'm guessing that customers of Wal-Mart stay in that store at least XX minutes. And XX minutes was calculated to be profitable at XX charging rates.
On top of the profit in the store. Hell, they might even consider EV charging a free service with a receipt over XX dollars.
Wal-Mart cares about profit. Not politics. If guns aren't a profitable department, they get rid of them. If they're profitable, then they carry them. Plain and simple. We've seen the entire spectrum in stores. From no guns to gun store jealously. All depends on sales.
Re:Kinda weird (Score: 5, Insightful)
by korgitser ( 1809018 ) on Sunday February 01, 2026 @04:02PM (#65962948)
If the Chinese EVs get in, they'll wipe the floor with the US car market. Walmart is getting ready.
Walmart itself might certainly plan for an EV fleet, too.
And the gambit here might be that they are uniquely positioned to become the replacement for a gas station. They have good presence everywhere, they're already hooked up to reasonable power, they are one of the common places to where people actually take the trips to, and maybe most importantly, they are the one place where people don't mind the 30min charging time, because they will be busy doing the groceires.
Re:Kinda weird (Score: 5, Insightful)
by leonbev ( 111395 ) on Sunday February 01, 2026 @06:08PM (#65963156)
I'd imagine that they'll eventually offer discounted EV charging rates if you're a Walmart+ member. They've been trying to get me to join that service for years, but the perks just aren't good enough. One of the perks is a 10 cents a gallon discount on gas, but none of the Walmart's in my area have gas pumps. I'd imagine that it has to be cheaper to set up EV charging stalls then it is to build a gas station.
Sure, almost nobody in Idaho wants an EV charger at their local Walmart, but I'll bet that they would in California.
The new "free parking". (Score: 5, Insightful)
by Ostracus ( 1354233 ) on Sunday February 01, 2026 @03:36PM (#65962912)
Basically the same lesson gas stations learned a long time ago. The fuel gets you there, the store makes the money. Three trends converging.
Economic pressure fewer trips, more consolidation
Quiet electrification hybrids/PHEVs everywhere
Retail real estate adapting parking lots become energy infrastructure