As our
customers and members continue to look for ways to save money and live better,
I am excited to announce our plans at Walmart and Sam’s Club in the U.S. to
make electric vehicle (EV) ownership more accessible, reliable, convenient and
affordable for them across the country. By 2030, we intend to build our own EV
fast-charging network at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations
coast-to-coast. This would be in addition to the almost 1,300 EV fast-charging
stations we already have available at more than 280 U.S. facilities.
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.
Our goal is to meet the needs of customers and members where they live and open
the road to those driving across the country. Easy access to on-the-go charging
is a game-changer for drivers who have been hesitant to purchase an EV for
concerns they won’t be able to find a charger in a clean, bright and safe
location when needed.
What’s more,
with our chargers located on site with our Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets
and Sam’s Clubs, we can offer customers and members the convenience of being
able to pick up essentials for their families or grab a bite to eat while they
charge. And in line with our purpose, we aim to offer Every Day Low Price
charging – helping ease transportation costs, still the second
highest household cost for much of our country.
At the same
time, as more drivers transition to EVs, our network growth will help expand
domestic EV charging capacity across states. We see our commitment today as a
natural extension of our work to help customers and members live better, easier
and more sustainable lives – a big win for busy families and drivers
everywhere, our country and the planet.
This plan
marks the latest investment in our efforts to transform our business and
product supply chains to be more regenerative, in this case helping reduce
emissions and increase efficiencies for customers. For example, we announced tests
across our supply chain vehicle and fuel classes toward
our goal of achieving zero emissions by 2040. And as of last year, many of our
W+ customers have already been receiving their deliveries via electric
vehicles.
The way
vehicle ownership looks is changing fast, and so is our business. Today, we are
as known for convenience as we are for Every Day Low Price. 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.