Walmart is looking to add thousands of fast-charging, electric-vehicle (EV) stations to its stores across America—making fueling up more readily available to consumers.
Key Details
- 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store, according to the company.
- The company already has 1,300 EV fast-chargers available at 280 locations and plans to add “thousands” at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the U.S. by 2030.
- Since most Americans live near a Walmart store, adding EV power stations will make charging available to more consumers nationwide.
Why it’s news
The U.S. has been pushing for EV adoption to limit emissions from gas-powered cars by introducing tax credits and other incentives, but one major thing America is missing—a charging network.
Walmart is pushing for sustainable living, adding many new environmentally friendly plans, including a company-wide EV charging network.
The large retail chain recently announced that it will install EV fast-chargers at “thousands” of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the U.S. by 2030, adding to its existing charging stations available at 280 locations.
There are not enough chargers, mainly in rural areas, to sustain the amount of EVs the U.S. is pushing for, but Walmart says that 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store. When the company adds thousands of chargers to its large map of stores, that will significantly increase the amount of charging stations available for consumers.
Walmart is still working on the logistics of the upcoming project, including how many chargers will be installed at each store location, how closely they’ll be located to the entrance, and how they will be powered.
“We see our commitment today as a natural extension of our work to help customers and members live better, easier, and more sustainable lives,” Walmart senior vice president for energy transformation Vishal Kapadia writes in a blog post.
Walmart will receive a profit from the chargers, and more customers will likely shop at the store as they wait for their vehicle to finish charging—which typically takes less than an hour.
Walmart is not the only large retailer pushing for sustainability by adding EV chargers at many locations. Subway and 7-Eleven have both announced electric charging endeavors for the near future.
More in Walmart’s Push for sustainability
The company is also pushing for healthier employee commutes to move toward healthy lifestyles and sustainability.
The company aims to have 10% of the retailer’s workforce at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, commute by bike or any way other than riding alone by 2025.
Walmart has set a goal of getting 10% of its workforce at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, to commute to work by bike or in any way other than riding alone by 2025.
To count toward the 10%, an employee must use alternative travel modes two or three times a week for a year.
Currently, fewer than 1% of Bentonville’s employees meet the company’s goals, according to Walmart. To reach the goal, Walmart has partnered with People For Bikes, which works with businesses to expand bike infrastructure and educate residents on biking, and has hired a director of workplace mobility to oversee the transition.
