100-Store Milestone Lays Foundation for Nationwide Charging Network
Global retail giant Walmart announced on August 21 that its company-owned electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network in the United States has officially expanded to 100 stores, covering 20 states. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough in the company’s EV charging infrastructure development and establishes a foundation for its long-term goal of installing chargers at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations by 2030.
Shayne Wahlmeier, Walmart’s senior vice president of Energy, stated that reaching the 100-site milestone is a critical achievement. Walmart’s extensive store network will make EV charging more accessible. Currently, approximately 90% of Americans live within 10 miles (about 16 kilometers) of a Walmart store, a reach that will effectively enhance charging accessibility, particularly for urban residents without home charging options.
400kW High-Power Chargers Boost Charging Efficiency
The latest charging site, located at the Walmart Supercenter at 16218 Jackson Creek Parkway in Monument, Colorado, became Walmart’s 100th company-owned fast-charging station. The site is equipped with eight charging plugs, including four CCS1 and four NACS (North American Charging Standard) connectors, with a maximum output power of 400kW. Walmart’s charging equipment is sourced from leading manufacturers ABB E-mobility of Switzerland and Alpitronic of Italy, specifically the ABB A400 All-in-One and Alpitronic HYC400 Hypercharger models.
ABB E-mobility notes that its A400 charger can deliver 200kW to two EVs simultaneously or up to 400kW to a single vehicle. While most EVs currently cannot fully utilize the 400kW charging capacity, the technology provides ample headroom for future vehicle upgrades. EV expert Tom Moloughney conducted a test at an early Walmart charging site in McKinney, Texas, where a GMC Hummer EV charged from 1% to 53% in 27 minutes, drawing over 300kW. This test demonstrated the practical value of high-power charging for long-distance travel.
In-House Software Platform Integrates Charging Experience
Walmart’s charging network software platform was developed in-house by the Walmart Global Tech team. The platform integrates real-time charger status monitoring, payment processing, and station information synchronization. The system updates charging site details in real time to major mapping and charging applications, including Apple Maps, Google Maps, PlugShare, ChargeHub, and Chargeway, making it easier for users to locate nearby charging stations.
Walmart has integrated the charging service into its official app, allowing users to find chargers, initiate sessions, make payments, and monitor charging progress without downloading additional applications. Walmart+ members receive exclusive discounts on charging. Adam Happel, general manager of Walmart Retail EV Charging, emphasized that the company is committed to creating a charging experience as reliable and effortless as the rest of a customer’s shopping trip, ensuring peace of mind for every charging session.
To further reduce barriers to use, Walmart plans to expand payment options in the future, including direct credit card payments, to avoid requiring users to pay through the app. Currently, most Walmart charging sites feature between 8 and 16 charging plugs, evenly split between CCS1 and NACS standards to accommodate different vehicle models. As the network continues to expand, Walmart will optimize site layouts based on regional demand, further enhancing the coverage and convenience of its charging services.
