The move comes in response to the growing demand for EVs and the need for a nationwide charging network.

Walmart's charging stations will be deployed at thousands of Walmart and Sam's Club stores across the US, adding to the nearly 1,300 stations already in operation under an agreement with Electrify America, one of the largest public EV networks in the country.

Walmart's goal is to address the range and charging issues that have long been an obstacle for EV adoption in the US.

According to Vishal Kapadia, Walmart's senior vice president of energy transformation, around 90% of Americans live within a 10-mile radius of a Walmart location.

By deploying charging stations at its stores, Walmart aims to provide convenient access to EV charging infrastructure for its customers and the wider community.

Walmart plans to operate its own charging stations to avoid reliability problems and high installation costs associated with third-party charging station operators.

According to Kapadia, the new charging stations will be DC fast chargers, with an average of four to be installed per store.

Walmart is still looking for a suitable supplier for the fast chargers.

Walmart's plan comes at a time when the Biden administration has pledged to build a network of 500,000 public charging stations for EVs by 2030.

In February, the White House announced the rules for a $7.5 billion federal program to advance the industry and build charging infrastructure, particularly along US highways.

Kapadia says that Walmart will begin installing charging stations independently and may later apply for federal funding.

In addition to supporting the wider community's transition to EVs, Walmart can also use the charging stations for its own electric vehicle fleet.

In July 2022, the retailer signed an agreement with EV maker Canoo to purchase 4,500 all-electric delivery vehicles, with an option to buy up to 10,000 units.

By operating its own charging infrastructure, Walmart can ensure that its EV fleet is charged and ready to go at all times.

Walmart's plan to create its own network of EV charging stations could have a significant impact on the EV market in the US.

The retailer's vast network of stores means that it has the potential to deploy charging stations in locations that are currently underserved by existing charging infrastructure.

Additionally, Walmart's commitment to reliability and convenience could help to alleviate the concerns of consumers who are hesitant to switch to EVs due to range anxiety.