Electrify America to Install DC Fast-Charging Stations at Five Costco Locations
Electrify American announced on Tuesday that it will be installing DC fast-charging stations at five Costco locations as part of the retailer’s renewed focus on electric vehicle charging.
The rollout will include Costco stores in Clermont, Florida, and Denver, Colorado, each receiving six chargers. Additionally, three California locations will be equipped with chargers: Loomis will get 14 chargers, while Pleasanton and Sacramento will each have 10 chargers.
Costco adds Electrify America DC fast-chargers
The 350-kw chargers will be integrated with the Electrify America network, allowing drivers to easily locate them and pay for charging sessions using the Electrify America app. Pricing for charging sessions will be determined by Costco.
Costco has a history of offering deals on electric cars and plug-in hybrids. While the retailer was one of the first to install Level 2 AC chargers in the 1990s, it discontinued these chargers in 2011 and 2012 before recently reintroducing EV charging.
Costco
The first Costco-branded DC fast charger was recently opened at a warehouse store in Ridgefield, Washington, by Electric Era. The installation process, from contract signing to opening, took just seven weeks, showcasing impressive efficiency compared to other charging networks.
While it remains uncertain whether Costco will continue working with Electric Era and Electrify America or explore partnerships with other firms for EV charging, Electrify America is looking for a new retail partner to replace Walmart, which announced plans to transition to its own EV charging network in 2023.
In another development, Costco has partnered with Amazon to enable customers in 48 U.S. cities to purchase new Hyundai vehicles directly from participating dealers on Amazon, with a focus on electric vehicles. This collaboration could lead to increased attention on charging infrastructure in the near future.