Walmart's direct push into EV charging.

[deserteagle71]

Nearest Walmart to me, in Winnemucca, Nevada, has had EV charging stations for several years now. I have NEVER seen anyone using them to charge an EV....

This same Walmart also had a gas station for years. Then it disappeared without explanation.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Oaktree any EV owner charging at WM, Tesla Supercharger etc needs to stick with gas or diesel vehicles if they're going to spend 3-4 hours connected to the WM or Tesla chargers because chargers keep the meter running even when charged to 100% if charging cable is not physically removed from the EV.

After being connected to a Tesla charger for 20-40 minutes I without fail get the message that I can unplug and make it to the next charging station range wise. Being a 74 year-old coffee drinker I have no charging wait time on cross-country EV road trips. Dad would travel with a gallon milk. Suffering from short hose syndrome perhaps I still would have to get out of the car and stand up which would mean stopping.

On cross country trips in the Tesla, I only try to average about 500 miles a day. Doing more than 500 mi per day. I wind up pissing off FSD.

 

[RayIN]

Since I don’t own or plan to get an EV, this is not important to me.

Nevertheless in Central Texas in most areas other than Austin, there are relatively few EV chargers. It is much worse in rural communities where they’re nonexistent. Like anything, logistics are king. Without charging stations everywhere, there will be few EVs.

In Texas, not every county seat has a Walmart. With the long trips we typically make in Texas, thousands of charging stations are mandatory. That is a problem.

Long trips_, shoot I had to drive 3 days after entering TX to get to my destination.

 

[Runner]

Just what we need - more "special" parking places at Walmart. Employee of the Month, pregnant women, online orders..... Pretty soon all the regular shoppers will have to park in the next county.

 

[not2old]

Just what we need - more "special" parking places at Walmart. Employee of the Month, pregnant women, online orders..... Pretty soon all the regular shoppers will have to park in the next county.

I pull into the local Walmart to see all those "special" stalls mostly empty and have to go find a space much farther away where you can't be so sure all your stuff will still be there.

 

[5030]

Just what we need - more "special" parking places at Walmart. Employee of the Month, pregnant women, online orders..... Pretty soon all the regular shoppers will have to park in the next county.

Don't forget about all the big trucks that inhabit the parking lots as well. Wallyworld could double as a truck stop. all they lack (I think) are the coin operated beavers.

 

[Oaktree]

I pull into the local Walmart to see all those "special" stalls mostly empty and have to go find a space much farther away where you can't be so sure all your stuff will still be there.

Theft, etc. isn't a problem where I live (I rarely, if ever lock my vehicles), but it does make it difficult for the elderly, or others who may not qualify for handicap plates, but still may wish to park closer.

 

[5030]

I've noticed lately, all the vehicles with a handicapped hang tag on the mirror so they can park up close and I wonder how many are legit.

I could get one, I do qualify, but I'd rather park away and walk. Good exercise.

 

[Jstpssng]

Long trips_, shoot I had to drive 3 days after entering TX to get to my destination.

Yep. I had a truck like that once.

 

[Oaktree]

I've noticed lately, all the vehicles with a handicapped hang tag on the mirror so they can park up close and I wonder how many are legit.

I could get one, I do qualify, but I'd rather park away and walk. Good exercise.

I've often wondered that myself. Do states still issue handicap plates, or is it strictly the mirror cards? Don't think I've seen a plate in many years.

 

[Peter 315]

I've often wondered that myself. Do states still issue handicap plates, or is it strictly the mirror cards? Don't think I've seen a plate in many years.

NH still has the handicap license plates..

 

[jyoutz]

NH still has the handicap license plates..

So does NM, but the cards are also available.

 

[5030]

I've often wondered that myself. Do states still issue handicap plates, or is it strictly the mirror cards? Don't think I've seen a plate in many years.

Here in Michigan, it's hang tags only. You can get personalized Veteran and active military plates as well as custom plates but they all cost extra and I cannot see giving extra bucks to the state so I don't. All the Michigan plates are stamped at the Gus Harrison facility (prison) in Adrian, Michigan by inmates on work release program and I'm sure they don't get much in the way of pay either. I drive by Gus Harrison all the time when going to Adrian. It's a minimum security prison but still surrounded with razor wire and guard towers. One cannot be to careful I guess....

 

[MossRoad]

I've often wondered that myself. Do states still issue handicap plates, or is it strictly the mirror cards? Don't think I've seen a plate in many years.

My mother in-law has a handicap plate in Indiana. You can get a plate or a placard/hang tag.

She needs it. However, if we drive her someplace in her car, we'll usually drop her off at the door and park in a regular spot so someone else can use the handicap spot if needed.

 

[MossRoad]

Here in Michigan, it's hang tags only. ...

From the Michigan gov website....

• Can I have both a disability license plate and parking placard?
  Yes, you can have a disability license plate and a parking placard at the same time. The placard may be used during those times when you are traveling in a vehicle without a disability license plate.

 

[D&D]

I was wondering if the insurance companies were going to go after EVs when parked in doors. There have been enough car park fires and garage fires for the insurance companies to take action. We have thought about buying a condo in various places. One of the many problems/issues is parking decks. One place has charging stations in the parking deck which got my attention. I wonder how long those charging stations will be allowed by insurance. Just the EVs in the parking deck would seem to be an issue.

One condo has VERY high HOA fees and we don't see WHY the fees are this high on a new building. Not sure we are going to spend any more time on the issue, but if we do, the first question is WHY are the HOA fees this high. I wonder if it is because of the parking deck...

just google "condo owners stuck with surprise bills".
It appears that many never collected enough money (or enough/right insurance) for the long term of the property.

 

[5030]

From the Michigan gov website....

• Can I have both a disability license plate and parking placard?
  Yes, you can have a disability license plate and a parking placard at the same time. The placard may be used during those times when you are traveling in a vehicle without a disability license plate.

Whatever... Why would anyone in the right mind, pay extra for a 'vanity disability plate' when a hang tag is totally free. Care to explain that to me mister know it all? Being disabled usually means limited income.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

All of the Walmarts near us have gas stations. Heck, even the Walmart that closed a couple years ago still has an open gas station out front.

Not sure I have ever seen gas at a walmart

No doubt demand will dictate where these charge stations are located. Here in So Cal they are everywhere. But we charge at home, it costs half what the charge stations cost and the 300 mile range does all our local errands.

So you never travel?
Or just 150 miles so you can make it home to charge?

 

[MossRoad]

Whatever... Why would anyone in the right mind, pay extra for a 'vanity disability plate' when a hang tag is totally free. Care to explain that to me mister know it all? Being disabled usually means limited income.

Not sure why you're so upset. I never mentioned vanity plates.

There's no additional charge for a disability plate in Michigan.

 

[MossRoad]

Not sure I have ever seen gas at a walmart

Sure you have....