Our Electric-Vehicle (EV) Charging Strategy complements and directly supports our OEM partners, who are in the process of rolling out EV-charging measures with new product introductions. By building on their plans as a foundation, and enhancing both the at-store and at-home customer experience, we position ourselves as the preferred charging partner for all of our OEMs—and set ourselves up to exceed volume and CSI targets.
ChargePoint Sparks OEM Sustainable Infrastructure
As a result of our OEM-focused objectives, we have joined collaborative forces with ChargePoint—one of the world’s leading charging infrastructure companies—to accelerate the roll-out of rapid-charging equipment nationwide. With ChargePoint as an evolving, good-faith collaborator, we’re able to share strategic resources and investments to help expand network development in several areas, including efficient charger placements and cost-saving incentives.
Charging Ports Continue to Expand
At the end of Q2 2023, we increased our charging port count to 984—up nearly 100 from the start of the year.
A charging port is for an EV or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and it can be AC (alternating current—240 volt) or DC (direct current) charging. A port that uses DC charging can deliver a higher charging speed (typically over 50 kilowatts).
DC charging creates the type of charge port known as a Level 3 fast-charger. These high-speed charge ports generally are customer-facing and create increased convenience for EVs that need a quick charge, such as during a pit stop on a road trip. We expect to bring 479 Level 2, and 228 Level 3, ports on board by Q2 2024.
ChargePoint will help us provide a fully integrated solution that encompasses high-speed charging—Level 2 & 3—at our facilities. In addition, ChargePoint will offer options for consumers to purchase home chargers at our stores and online, which provides Consumer Optionality.
