USA: EVgo plans nationwide fast-charging rollout at Kroger stores

EVgo is expanding its collaboration with supermarket chain Kroger to deploy thousands of high-power fast-charging points at grocery locations across the US. The programme foresees at least 150 new fast-charging stalls per year through 2035.

According to EVgo, the expanded programme will bring up to 16 high-power fast-charging stalls per site at selected Kroger Family of Stores locations. The objective is to provide reliable and convenient fast charging while customers shop, with chargers positioned near retail and restaurant amenities. The first site under the expanded agreement has already entered operation in Salt Lake City, Utah. Further locations are planned across several states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Washington.

The chargers will be installed at a range of Kroger-operated brands, including Kroger, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food Stores, Harris Teeter, King Soopers and Smith’s Food and Drug. EVgo states that the infrastructure will consist of high-power DC fast chargers capable of delivering a full charge in as little as 15 minutes, aligning with typical grocery shopping dwell times of under an hour.

EVgo currently operates more than 4,600 fast-charging stalls across the US. With ongoing expansion projects, the company expects to have more than 15,000 stalls energised nationwide by the end of 2029. The initiative builds on a collaboration between EVgo Inc. and Kroger that began in 2022 and aims to integrate EV charging into routine shopping activities.

“EVgo’s expanded relationship with Kroger introduces more fast charging options into Americans’ everyday lives,” said Badar Khan, CEO of EVgo. “Kroger is the grocery destination of choice for millions of Americans. Adding fast charging to Kroger locations will provide the growing number of EV drivers an essential amenity – the convenience of charging where they shop while empowering drivers with the freedom to choose electric.”

evgo.com