Walmart adds the Carolinas to its EV charging network with stores in Charlotte
Walmart is expanding its network of charging stations for electric vehicles in the new year at nearly 80 stores throughout the country, including a half dozen in the Charlotte region.
The installation of at least 77 400-kW DC fast chargers are planned at Walmart stores in 19 states, according to the retail giant’s website. The expansion plan was recently updated by adding more states and sites, according to industry publication EV Charging Stations.
Walmart has its EV charging at 14 stores in Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and the majority in Texas.
The expansion is part of Walmart’s plan announced in 2023 to build its own EV fast-charging network rather than leasing parking spaces to third-party operators. Walmart plans to add EV sites at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations by 2030.
Walmart has over 4,600 stores in the U.S., and over 600 Sam’s Club’s, according to the company. A Walmart store or Sam’s Club is within 10 miles of 90% of Americans, according to Walmart.
Walmart EV chargers planned in the Carolinas
Six EV charging sites will debut at Walmart Supercenter stores in the Carolinas:
- Charlotte: 1830 Galleria Blvd.
- Concord: 5825 Thunder Road
- Huntersville: 11145 Bryton Town Center Dive
- Indian Trail: 2101 Younts Road
- Raleigh: 8000 Town Drive
- Indian Land, S.C.: 10048 Charlotte Hwy.
Development permits filed in August with the city of Charlotte show project plans for eight charging stalls at the store on Galleria Boulevard.
In October, Walmart submitted two plans for eight EV stalls each at 11524 N. Tryon St. and 8800 East WT Harris Blvd.
All three plans will also include four 400kw Alpitronic HYC400 Chargers, one utility Transformer and one 4000A BUS, 2000A MCB switchboard, according to city records.
Walmart did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
What to know about using Walmart EV charging stations
To use the EV chargers, download Walmart’s app.
All payments are made in the Walmart app, according to the company. Currently, credit card terminals are not available. Rates may vary by location or time of day.
Walmart sites include NACS and CCS fast-charging connectors.
Charge time depends on the EV, battery size, current charge and temperature. Many drivers get a useful charge in 15 to 30 minutes, according to Walmart. Walmart’s 400 kW chargers can power two EVs at once.
More Walmart moves in the Carolinas
Walmart is North Carolina’s largest private employer, and the largest U.S. employer.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant announced in October that it will invest $300 million to open another fulfillment center in the Charlotte region that promises to create more than 300 jobs.
The Kings Mountain facility, west of Charlotte in Gaston County, will handle e-commerce orders for large items such as televisions, furniture, and appliances. The 1.2 million–square-foot facility, at 799 Sara Lee Access Road, is expected to open in 2027.
Walmart’s drone service could launch its first aerial delivery in Charlotte from the University City area. The company submitted a commercial zoning review to the city of Charlotte in October for its store at 7735 N. Tryon St.
The project would install a kiosk, battery-powered generator and fencing in the parking lot for drone delivery operations, according to the filing. The kiosk will not have permanent power or plumbing.
Walmart has 32 supercenters, eight neighborhood markets and seven Sam’s Clubs in the Charlotte region, and more than 62,000 employees in North Carolina. Walmart Fulfillment Services has about 4,000 employees for fulfillment and distribution centers statewide.
