BENTONVILLE, Arkansas — Walmart on Friday expanded its in-house electric vehicle charging network into California, adding fast chargers at select stores and offering discounted rates to Walmart+ members.

The rollout builds on Walmart's plan to install thousands of EV fast-charging stalls at its US stores and Sam's Club locations by 2030. The retailer has been developing the network under its own brand rather than relying solely on third-party operators such as Electrify America.

The California stations offer DC fast charging capable of adding significant range in under an hour. Pricing is designed to undercut rivals for Walmart+ members. California represents one of the largest EV markets in the United States, with more registered electric vehicles than any other state.

Industry analysts view Walmart's push as an effort to draw EV drivers into stores during charging sessions, boosting foot traffic and retail sales. The move places Walmart in direct competition with Tesla's Supercharger network and public charging providers backed by federal infrastructure funding.

Walmart aims to make charging accessible at locations most Americans already visit weekly, positioning its parking lots as convenient hubs for the growing number of EV owners, according to a company spokesperson.