Walmart commits to expanding its Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network to thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the United States by 2030 in an announcement released earlier this month.
“We see our commitment today as a natural extension of our work to help customers and members live better, easier and more sustainable lives,” stated Vishal Kapadia, Senior Vice President, Energy Transformation, in the April 6 press release.
Electric vehicle ownership in the U.S. is increasing each year. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, between 2020 and 2021, Washington has seen EV ownership increase by 32.3% year-over-year, with EV registrations rising from 50,500 to 66,810 within this timeframe.
“With a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans, we are uniquely positioned to deliver a convenient charging option that will help make EV ownership possible whether people live in rural, suburban or urban areas,” Kapadia wrote.
Currently, only about 1,300 charging stations at 280 stores and Clubs house EV stations. Walmart aims to increase Electric Vehicle accessibility to approximately 4,700 Walmart stores and 600 Sam’s Clubs within 10 miles of 90% of Americans.
In September of 2020, Walmart pledged zero emissions across the company’s global operations by 2040 to address what it calls “the growing climate crisis.” Walmart and the Walmart Foundation also committed to help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the cascading loss of nature threatening the planet.
“We are committed to providing customers, members, associates, suppliers and our communities at large with the services they need and want, in a way that fits their lifestyle – making EV ownership easy and simple is no exception,” wrote Kapadia.
Author: Mario Lotmore
