Walmart EV Charging Network - Finally Under Construction!

[Brons2]

Walmart now testing “curbside” pickup at the charging stalls. Probably not needed for people doing long charges, but I could see apartment-dwellers placing a grocery order before leaving work and getting your week’s groceries and charging needs all done in 15-20 minutes.

It'd be nice not to go into squallmart unless I needed to use the restroom. It really depends on the prices. I'm going to charge where it's cheapest. On my past road trips, that's been Tesla Superchargers.

 

[Brons2]

For those just learning this DCFC stuff, it should be noted the regular price of a Supercharger isn’t that low. That price is for Tesla owners (who paid a premium upfront with their purchase price to get cheaper charging) or those who pay the $12.99 monthly membership fee.

Regular retail prices right now in Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago are generally.

Tesla: 48¢ - 65¢ / KWh.

Kwik Charge 52¢ - 59¢

IONNA 33¢ - 39¢

Electrify America 56¢ - 64¢

EVGo 47¢ - 56¢

Same story with GM EVs (and other IONNA members). Part of their vehicle purchase price is a 10% discount at IONNA, putting it right in line with Tesla owner charging prices at Superchargers.

I actually charge at Kwik Charge often. Some of their more rural sites are by far the most convenient and fastest charging stops in maybe 50 miles or more.

I've never paid over .35 at Tesla with the membership. If you are going somewhere far, it pays for itself in the first two charges.

Ionna's everyday low prices are intriguing, but, there aren't many near us and the one I might actually use, on the way to DFW, is too close to my house to need a stop. Could possibly work on the way back if I leave DFW less than full. Maybe as they build out their network more they might be a contender for more of my business.

 

[Torrid]

For those just learning this DCFC stuff, it should be noted the regular price of a Supercharger isn’t that low. That price is for Tesla owners (who paid a premium upfront with their purchase price to get cheaper charging) or those who pay the $12.99 monthly membership fee.

Regular retail prices right now in Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago are generally.

Tesla: 48¢ - 65¢ / KWh.

Kwik Charge 52¢ - 59¢

IONNA 33¢ - 39¢

Electrify America 56¢ - 64¢

EVGo 47¢ - 56¢

Same story with GM EVs (and other IONNA members). Part of their vehicle purchase price is a 10% discount at IONNA, putting it right in line with Tesla owner charging prices at Superchargers.

I actually charge at Kwik Charge often. Some of their more rural sites are by far the most convenient and fastest charging stops in maybe 50 miles or more.

And then other networks have monthly memberships to “buy down” the price too.

I even have a charger I use that charges a $4.50 connection fee! Sounds bad, but then off-peak it’s ~20¢/kWh (i forget the exact price ATM). So a long charge ends up being about the cheapest anywhere. It gets complicated….

Personally, price isn’t my main concern. I’ll gladly pay a bit extra if it means 24hr bathroom access, food, drinks, 500A+ equipment, CCS and NACS cables (no adapters needed), etc. Kwik Charge is the best for me at the moment - they offer it all, at every location.

I get that you're saying that Tesla rates are just as high in my areas as the others, but the highest I've seen is $0.39 when I've used them. I've used them in Chicago as well.

I don't public charge daily, but probably every few months. I did twice to start this week and those two were $0.36 and $0.34.

 

[E365]

Up to 375 known locations - open, under construction or found in permitting. Close to a 50/50 split among those between Alpitronic HYC400 and ABB A400 units.

 

[Brons2]

Up to 375 known locations - open, under construction or found in permitting. Close to a 50/50 split among those between Alpitronic HYC400 and ABB A400 units.

Is there a version of this that isn't a google sheet?

 

[E365]

Is there a version of this that isn't a google sheet?

Hmm, good question. Not sure.

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Walmart has opened 14 sites just in May!

The closest one to me went from nothing to a massive construction site in about 2 days. I bet the charging equipment will be in place any day now - a week or so after construction started.

They’re really ramping up it seems…

 

[E365]

Walmart making a marketing push with the better charger-focused YouTube channels today. Sounds like they’re not backing down on their plans - quite the opposite it seems.

Some comments that caught my ear:
- Still shooting for “thousands” of locations with chargers (includes Sam’s Club)
- Walmart+ discount going nationwide.
- They’re adding credit card readers to every site
- Many sites are burying extra conduit for future expansion.
- Doesn’t sound like plans for any equipment under 400kW
- Starting to plan for canopy sites (none exist yet).
- Some sites they’re swapping CCS&NACS cables to better accommodate Teslas (move NACS to left side). They will all be that way ultimately.
- They’re not going to do dynamic pricing (where the price gets higher as it gets busy) - sticking with flats or time-of-use.
- Still progressing with more charger-side order delivery
- Will install pull-through chargers wherever possible.