Last Updated 2 years ago
It is a well-known fact that, when thinking about buying an electric vehicle, something is still bugging Americans: the challenging task of finding a charging station close to their house or in a convenient location.
And it’s a valid concern since currently there is only one charging station for every 3 gas stations in the country. This is one reason why not many Americans are still hesitant about electric vehicles. In fact, last year only 17% of all new light vehicles sold in the U.S. were electric cars or hybrids.
But that is about to change…
There is one supermarket that is taking action to solve this problem. This company is installing fast-charging stations in its stores so you can charge up your EV quickly while you grab groceries.
Walmart Is Expanding Its Electric Vehicle Charging Network
Last year, Walmart announced its plan to expand its fast-charging network from coast to coast. By 2023, the largest retailer in the country wants to build charging stations in thousands of Walmart Stores and Sam’s Club locations.
But this is not just plans, by the time of the announcement, the multinational retailer has already installed 1,300 EV fast-charging stations in more than 280 stores.
With this initiative, Walmart is looking to offer the convenience of picking up everyday essentials and supplies for your house while your electric car is getting charged.
Walmart Is Getting Off To A Fly Start in 2024
The retailer is hitting the ground running with its electrification plans. Just last week, Walmart unveiled its major renovation efforts for the next 12 months which involves upgrading 650 stores in 47 different states and Puerto Rico.
These new facilities will be designed with sustainability in mind, including more energy-efficient equipment […] We’re also working on developing a coast-to-coast network of affordable electric vehicle fast-charging stations we hope will make EV ownership a more convenient and accessible choice for Walmart shoppers and associates.
John Furner, CEO Walmart U.S.
What Benefits Can Americans Expect?
As Walmart rolls out its plan to expand its EV charging network you can expect to see more charging stations close to your house.
Let’s be honest, regardless of whether you live in a rural area or a city, there is always a Walmart store close to your house.
As stated by Walmart Senior Vice-President Vishay Kapadia, 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart Store or a Sam’s Club. This is possible thanks to Walmart’s huge network of stores in the country. According to its website, today there are 4,616 Walmart stores and 599 Sam’s Clubs in the U.S.
How Much Will It Cost To Charge Your EV At Walmart?
If Walmart is known for something, is for offering low prices. Although there is no official information about how much it will cost once all the charging stations are installed by 2030, there are already some Walmart stores that have chargers. And according to reports, the average cost per kWh is 10 cents.
Is this cheap?
The Department of Energy explains that the average American drives around 1,124 miles per month, based on this we can compare costs:
- Driving a gasoline car: A sedan with a performance of 30 miles per gallon will need 37 gallons of fuel. With an average gasoline cost of $3.60 per gallon, the monthly cost to fill up a gasoline car is $133.
- Charging an EV at home: An electric vehicle that gets an average of 3 miles per kWh will need 375 kWh per month. With the average cost per kWh in a U.S. household of 16 cents., the monthly cost to charge an EV at home is $60.
- Charging an EV at Walmart: For the same monthly consumption of 375 kWh, and the average cost of 10 cents per kWh, the monthly cost to charge an EV at Walmart is $37.5.
That makes the cost of charging an EV at Walmart half the cost of charging it at home and 70% cheaper than filling up a gasoline car.
Other Initiatives to Reduce Transportation Emissions
Not only charging stations are on Walmart’s radar to contribute to the electric transformation in the country. Indeed, the company has set the goal of achieving zero emissions in its global operations by 2040.
In some cities in Texas, Arizona, and Florida, the retailer has already been using electric vans and drones for its delivery service to up to 4 million houses.
What do you think? Do you think that having more charging stations at Walmart will make it more convenient to own an electric vehicle? Let us know in the comments.