Walmart Plans To Add EV Charging Stations To Thousands Of Stores Across The Country‍

As part of its efforts to mainstream the use of emission-free automobiles, Walmart announced Thursday that it would be adding electric vehicle chargers to thousands of US stores.

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As part of the plan, Walmart plans to install electric car chargers at thousands of Walmart and Sam's Club stores throughout the country, which is more than 90% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart store. The retailer, which currently has only EV chargers in a fraction of its US stores, plans to build its own electric car fast-charging network, as announced in a news release.

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In what is expected to be a long transition away from internal combustion engines in the auto industry, the announcement marks the latest sign of movement in the US transportation market.

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According to Cox Automotive, electric vehicles made up 5.8 percent of the new vehicle market in 2021, an increase from 3.2 percent.

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There are 7.5 billion dollars earmarked for a nationwide network of charging stations for electric vehicles in a bipartisan infrastructure law introduced by President Joe Biden in 2021.

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Besides Biden's announcement of various efforts by the private sector to speed up the transition, Hertz has also made a pledge to increase the number of EV cars available for rental and Google has launched a search engine that allows users to search for EV tax credits.

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For the EV transition to be successful, a wider and more accessible charging network is considered to be one of the most important requirements in order to reduce "range anxiety." This is a point that Walmart, which owns more than 5,300 stores in the United States, including 600 Sam's Club stores, is emphasizing.

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A lot of drivers have been concerned about finding a charger in a clean, bright, and safe location when they need it, which is why Walmart is providing easy access to on-the-go charging, and Walmart believes this is a game changer for drivers who have been hesitant to purchase an EV.

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At present, Walmart has more than 280 locations in the US that are equipped with electric vehicle chargers.