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Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

evchargingstations.com

11–20 of 101 posts

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#11
post #6
post #3

> and offer access through its own Walmart app. 8-( I've _never_ been required to "join the club", or "run the app" to purchase gasoline. Why does charging an EV require use of an app? This is an accessibility issue and as such should be illegal...

> Why does charging an EV require use of an app? It doesn't. Almost all DC fast charging I've done has been plug and charge or with a normal credit card terminal. Meanwhile when I buy gas at QT or Sam's Club I pay through an app.

First 2 steps on Walmart's instruction page:

* Donwload the Walmart app

* Scan the QR code

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#12
Makes a lot of sense from my amateur perspective. It takes a bit of time to charge a car, and you might as well use it to buy your groceries. Plus I'm sure WM can get a sensible bulk discount on electricity.

Add to that, you can make people use your app and show them targeted adverts. You can get them to buy any bulk goods for pickup when they are charging the car.

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#14
post #3

> and offer access through its own Walmart app. 8-( I've _never_ been required to "join the club", or "run the app" to purchase gasoline. Why does charging an EV require use of an app? This is an accessibility issue and as such should be illegal...

US-specific issue

Is it? I think it's a problem in the UK too. Every charging network seems to have its own associated app.

Planning long journeys means having an app for every stop.

It really shouldn't.

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#16
Chaotic good, I could imagine Walmart deciding to sell a miniature EV for around $12,000.

Imagine something like a two-seater City car, while I'm dreaming I imagine this type of vehicle completely taking over for most City commuting. Since these would be smaller and slower than normal cars, they would be phenomenally safer.

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#17
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

US-specific issue

Is it? I think it's a problem in the UK too. Every charging network seems to have its own associated app. Planning long journeys means having an app for every stop. It really shouldn't.

Yeah, basically every public charger in the continental EU is going to be on the intercharge network.

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#19
post #11
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Why does charging an EV require use of an app? It doesn't. Almost all DC fast charging I've done has been plug and charge or with a normal credit card terminal. Meanwhile when I buy gas at QT or Sam's Club I pay through an app.

First 2 steps on Walmart's instruction page: * Donwload the Walmart app * Scan the QR code

So Walmart's chargers require it. But EVs can charge at places other than Walmart.

So a valid response to "Why does charging an EV require use of an app" is, it doesn't, other places don't require it.

Re: Walmart plans EV Charging network which will blanket the US within a few years

#20

Chaotic good, I could imagine Walmart deciding to sell a miniature EV for around $12,000. Imagine something like a two-seater City car, while I'm dreaming I imagine this type of vehicle completely taking over for most City commuting. Since these would be smaller and slower than normal cars, they would be phenomenally safer.

Very few people have purchased the gasoline-engine equivalent of such cars, so not sure why an EV version would fare a lot better.
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