Walmart’s in-house EV fast-charging rollout outpaced every network except Tesla in the second quarter of 2026, leaning on its thousands of store parking lots to become an unlikely leader in the charging race.
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Tesla still runs the largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle charging network in the United States, but the company sitting in second place for growth might come as a surprise: it’s Walmart.
According to EV charging data tracker Paren, Walmart added 368 new charging ports in the second quarter of 2026, more than established players like ChargePoint, Electrify America, and even relative newcomer Ionna. That single quarter’s growth was enough to push Walmart from ninth place in deployments just a quarter earlier into the number two spot, trailing only Tesla’s 1,185 new ports.
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Walmart is not entirely new to EV charging. The retailer has hosted third-party charging equipment at its stores since as early as 2018. But with EV sales growth cooling in the US, the company decided this was the right moment to build out a network under its own brand rather than relying on partners.
The retailer’s scale gives it a structural edge few competitors can match. With more than 3,500 Supercenters and a footprint that puts roughly 90 percent of Americans within about 10 miles of a store, Walmart already owns the real estate its chargers sit on, meaning it can skip the lease negotiations and land-use hurdles that slow down other charging companies.
Tracking site Wattmart pegs Walmart’s current build-out at 96 open charging sites with another 119 under construction, while Walmart’s own site lists 69 locations live now and 145 more coming soon. Texas, Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina are set to see the biggest expansions. Even with this rapid growth, Walmart’s overall share of the national fast-charging market remains under 1 percent, but the trajectory has industry watchers paying close attention.
Source Name : Jalopnik
FAQ Walmart EV Charging Network
Is Walmart really the second-fastest-growing EV charging network?
Yes, based on second-quarter 2026 data from charging tracker Paren, Walmart added more new charging ports than any network besides Tesla.
How many Walmart charging stations are open now?
Estimates vary by source, ranging from about 69 to 96 open locations, with well over 100 more under construction.
Why is Walmart well-positioned for EV charging?
It already owns thousands of Supercenter parking lots nationwide, avoiding the leasing and permitting delays that slow other charging companies.
Which states are getting the most new Walmart chargers?
Texas, Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina are seeing the largest planned expansions.
