Costco Enters EV Charging Market with Branded DC Fast Chargers

– Costco debuts EV chargers at its Ridgefield, Washington, warehouse.

– The two Costco-branded fast chargers feature 200 kW power and built-in battery storage.

– Costco’s 2023 plan aims to add chargers at 20 locations in North America.

Costco has thoughtfully entered the electric vehicle (EV) charging market by installing its first branded DC fast chargers at a store in Ridgefield, Washington. The installation is part of Costco’s strategic steps toward adding to the EV infrastructure as the company introduces its dual-dispenser chargers capable of powering up to four EVs at a time.

Developed by Seattle-based company Electric Era, each Costco-branded charger provides 200 kilowatts of power with an integrated battery storage system. This storage allows the chargers to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates and maintain service during potential grid interruptions. The stations also feature a 32-inch display for customer information and are compatible with contactless payment systems.

Electric Era installed the Ridgefield chargers in seven weeks from contract signing to activation, which, according to reports, is faster than the standard timeline for Tesla’s Supercharger stations. Costco and Electric Era are reportedly in “ongoing discussions” regarding the potential expansion of these stations to other locations, although no further sites have been confirmed.

Costco, known for its affordable gasoline, may soon be also recognized for its “cheap” electricity. Its 2023 climate action plan mentions fast charger installations at 20 locations, though specific deployment schedules have not been announced. Previously, Costco experimented with Level 2 charging stations in California, Canada, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom, dating back to the late 1990s. The retailer recently launched a pilot fast-charging site in Denver, featuring six 350-kW Electrify America stalls.

Source: Insideevs