Walmart has decided to take a giant step toward the future: it's diving headfirst into the world of electric cars. But no, it won't compete with Toyota or other car brands. Its approach is different: installing thousands of electric chargers in the parking lots of its Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.
The goal is clear: to be pioneers in fast and accessible chargers before 2030. They've already started, and the plan has more than one objective. On one hand, sustainability; on the other, attracting customers.
If you can charge your car while you shop, who wouldn't do it? Innovation and shopping, all in one place.
Charge fast, cheap, and hassle-free
Walmart promises to charge hundreds of miles in less than half an hour and at a much lower price than other options. This not only makes life easier for drivers, but also turns the company into an ally of the environment. Less pollution and more convenience: a plan that seems perfect.
A strategy with national reach
With more than 5,200 stores across the United States, Walmart covers practically the entire country. According to its calculations, 90% of Americans live less than 10 mi. (16 km) from one of its branches. Taking advantage of this network, its strategy becomes ambitious: to install thousands of electric chargers before the end of the decade.
The process will be very simple: scan the charger's code with the Walmart app, plug in the car, and that's it. Fast, intuitive, and adapted to the digital age.
Benefits for your wallet and the planet
A typical gasoline car emits more than 5.5 tons of pollutants per year. With an electric car, that number drops to zero. Walmart emphasizes that this measure is more than commercial: it's part of a commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable model.
In addition, electric charging is more economical. Electric car owners spend up to 60% less on energy than those who use gasoline. The first tests at Walmart showed a price of 42 cents per kilowatt-hour, lower than many private stations.
Compatibility for all vehicles
It doesn't matter what car you have. Walmart's stations will be equipped with CCS1, used by most brands that aren't Tesla, and NACS, popularized by Tesla and increasingly adopted. So, whether it's a Ford, Hyundai, or Tesla, you'll be able to plug it in without any problem.
A change in model and habits
Walmart isn't just installing chargers; it's aiming to make charging your car something routine. Go shopping, plug in your car, and leave with your bags... and a full battery. Everyone wins: the company, drivers, and the planet.
With this network, Walmart is entering a field where companies like Ikea or some reinvented gas stations are already present. The difference is that Walmart always aims to compete on a large scale. For now, we have to wait and see how this ambitious plan evolves.