The Walmart EV Charging Network Is The Industry's 800 Pound Gorilla: Exclusive Interview

Why It Matters

Walmart’s scale and exclusive‑use charging stalls turn everyday shopping trips into EV charging opportunities, accelerating adoption and forcing competitors to rethink their public‑charging strategies.

Key Takeaways

• Walmart aims for 100 EV charging sites within 18 months.
• Over 50 fast‑charging stations now operational across U.S. locations.
• Sites feature minimum eight stalls, future‑proofed for expansion.
• Chargers placed near store vestibules for convenient customer access.
• Walmart reserves stalls exclusively for EVs, avoiding mixed‑use parking.

Summary

Walmart’s electric‑vehicle charging network, led by general manager Adam Hapel, is rapidly scaling beyond its pilot phase. Within a year the retailer moved from three test sites to more than 50 operational fast‑charging stations, with a target of 100 open locations in the first 18 months after the inaugural launch.

The rollout hinges on Walmart’s massive real‑estate footprint and long‑term planning. Hardware lead times of six to twelve months are mitigated by early ordering, and each super‑center typically hosts a minimum of eight stalls—four dual‑port chargers—future‑proofed with conduit for up to 16 or more stalls as demand grows. Site placement follows design principles that keep chargers near vestibules, offering a direct walk to the store while avoiding front‑door ice exposure.

Hapel highlighted several operational details: “We’re up to 50 now,” he said, noting that stalls are reserved exclusively for EVs, eliminating mixed‑use parking. Charging times (20‑80% in roughly 30‑35 minutes) align with typical shopping dwell times, keeping idle rates low. The company also plans to correct a connector orientation error and is evaluating signage and canopy options to boost visibility.

Walmart’s aggressive expansion could reshape the public‑charging landscape, leveraging its nationwide traffic to normalize EV use and pressure competing networks. The retailer’s ability to integrate charging into its core shopping experience may accelerate consumer adoption and set a new standard for retail‑based EV infrastructure, with potential spill‑over into Canada and beyond.

Original Description

My first interview with Walmart's Adam Happel: https://youtu.be/_UIVp8Upvj8?si=dDQ-fF7f0aPQaYo_

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:19 Adam Happel, GM of Walmart Charging

04:15 Number of stalls per location and future expansion

06:00 How does Walmart decide where on the property to locate the chargers

08:45 Is Walmart considering lower-power chargers and idle fees?

10:27 Will Walmart add signage for EV chargers?

13:25 Why is the NACS connector on the right side of the chargers?

15:02 Choice of charging equipment vendors

16:18 Pricing policy and TOU

19:01 Delivering your Walmart order to you while you're charging

22:06 Sam's Club charging

23:00 How does Walmart decide where to locate the charging sites?

26:07 Do customers have to use the Walmart App to charge?

28:22 Will Walmart employ Plug & Charge technology?

31:15 Will Walmart allow the other networks to remain on its properties?

32:24 Will Walmart open charging networks in Canada?

33:15 How will Walmart manage station uptime?

35:50 Does Walmart have a goal for how many charging locations it will have?

37:30 Is Walmart having pushback from utilities about power demand?

40:56 My Final Thoughts

49:52 Outro

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