EV Charging at Everyday Low Prices — Walmart’s Charging Network

By John Higham, Board Member

Walmart announced thousands of new charging locations by 2030. We believe this will transform the EV charging landscape, making EV ownership compelling for an entire demographic that has found driving electric out of reach.

Electric vehicles can be cheap to run. They can also be crazy expensive. The difference? It’s all about where you charge. 

With the average U.S.electricity prices hovering around 16 cents per kiloWatt hour (kWh), a Chevy Bolt (with an efficiency of 3.4 mi/kWh) costs about 4.7 cents for every mile driven. But if you can’t charge at home to get that 16 cents per kWh rate, and you charge at an Electrify America station, charging 64 cents per kWh, driving that Chevy Bolt just got four times more expensive at 18.8 cents for every mile driven. This compares to, say, a gas-powered Mazda 3 at 15 cents for every mile driven (assuming 30 MPG and $4.50 a gallon).

The ability to charge at home for pennies vis-a-vis charging in public is why advocates are calling for charging equity. It is also a big reason why EVs still have a "luxury toy" reputation.

It’s a problem that risks locking millions of Americans out of the EV future.

Enter Walmart. The retail giant just announced it’s building thousands of fast chargers at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country. That’s a big deal — because 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart. And Walmart isn’t known for chasing luxury markets; they’re known for making everyday life more affordable.

As Walmart brings its low-price playbook to EV charging, it will finally level the playing field for drivers who want to go electric but can’t install a charger at home. This demographic makes up 40% of America.

For people who already make Walmart a part of the weekly routine to grab groceries and enjoy everyday low prices on other necessities, they will be able to return to their car, fully charged at about one-third the cost of what it costs to drive a comparable gas car. If Walmart executes in its traditional style, they will make driving EVs genuinely cheaper and easier for everyone — not just the early adopters who can plug in at home.

It’s not just about selling electricity. It’s about opening the road to a cleaner future — for all of us.