Costco reintroduces electric vehicle charging in the United States.

Costco, known for its discounted gas stations, has left electric vehicle (EV) drivers without a place to charge for the past 12 years. However, the situation is about to change with the retailer's collaboration with Electric Era, as they have installed a fast DC charging station in Ridgefield, Washington. Costco was a pioneer in electric vehicle charging during the 1990s but decided to discontinue this service in the United States in 2012.

Although the opening of a single station may seem like a small step, the fact that it was installed in just seven weeks suggests that there are more ambitious plans on the horizon. Electric Era, the Seattle-based company responsible for manufacturing and installing the station, promises to offer fast charging technology supported by batteries, even in areas with limitations on the electrical grid. This station can deliver up to 200 kilowatts and features built-in battery storage, allowing for lower electricity rates and continuous operation even during power outages. This advancement could rival Tesla's SuperCharger network, as its CEO, Quincy Lee, has a background with SpaceX.

Costco appears to have enough confidence in Electric Era to associate its name with the charging station. The previous year, a pilot station was launched in Denver in partnership with Electrify America, although Costco's name was not included in that case. In recent statements, Electric Era indicated that it is still in talks with Costco to open more locations. Additionally, Costco has mentioned its intention to install fast chargers at 20 locations, although details about these installations remain scarce. On the other hand, the company has maintained electric vehicle charging operations in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, and South Korea.

For its part, Costco's electric vehicle charging initiatives in the United States could resemble those of Walmart, which also announced last year the creation of its own fast charging network, in addition to previous collaborations with Electrify America.