Costco was one of the first retail chains to offer EV charging, but they have no plans to bring it back.
“That’s not going to happen for the next few years,” Costco CFO Richard Galanti said on a recent company earnings call, quoted by Roadafter being asked if he was concerned that EV regulations could render Costco’s lucrative gas stations obsolete.
EV charging station at Costco
“Honestly, I think it’s a question we can hold off for five or 10 years,” Galanti said, noting that Costco is still increasing its share of the gasoline market in the US. The company currently operates gas stations at most of its warehouse stores, most of which are open 24 hours a day. Like shopping in stores, buying gas at Costco requires a membership.
Costco was one of the first retailers to accept EV charging, but in 2011 it took them apart. Chargers have been installed at certain locations in California, serving Costco customers driving some of the electric cars sold by the automakers in the largest numbers under the zero-emission vehicle program. of California.
Charge Tesla on EVgo . network
The first Costco EV charger disappeared as soon as the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S arrived, all targeting sales far beyond California. And other retail chains are starting to notice this. Target has EV charger installed as early as 2013, when we reported on the setup at a new Target store in Fremont, California, where Tesla’s original factory was located.
Other retail chains are building out their EV charging infrastructure. Walmart recently announced plans for its own charging networkwith “thousands” of chargers by 2030. Meijer, another retail giant that sells gas in some locations, is also embracing EVgo charging, with plans to EV fast charging up to 350 kw.
