Costco, known for its discount gas stations, has left electric vehicle drivers out in the cold for the past 12 years. But that appears to be changing now, as the major retailer is putting its brand name on a DC fast-charging station in Ridgefield, Washington.
After being one of the early pioneers of electric vehicle charging in the 1990s, Costco dropped the offering in the U.S. in 2012
While opening just one station may seem like a tentative step, the speed at which the station was installed – just seven weeks – could indicate big plans for the future.
In addition to lightning-fast installation, Electric Era, the Seattle-based company that manufactures and installs the charging station, promises to offer “extremely reliable, battery-assisted fast-charging technology in grid-constrained locations.”
Its stands can deliver up to 200 kilowatts and have built-in battery storage, allowing for lower electricity rates and the ability to remain operational even during a power outage.
If that sounds like it could certainly compete with Tesla's SuperCharger network, that's no coincidence: Quincy Lee, its CEO, is a former SpaceX engineer.
Costco also appears to have enough trust in the company to have put its brand name on its electric vehicle charging station. Last year, the wholesaler actually opened a pilot station in Denver, this time in collaboration with Electrify America, the largest charging network in the United States. However, Costco did not put their brand name on it.
In an interview with Green Car Reports, Electric Era said it is still in discussions with Costco about opening new locations. Last year, Costco said it planned to install fast chargers at 20 locations, without providing further details. The company operates electric vehicle charging stations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and South Korea.
Meanwhile, the electric vehicle wholesaler's U.S. charging plans could well be similar to those of rival Walmart, which announced last year that it would build its own electric vehicle fast-charging network in addition to the deals it already has with Electrify America.
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