Walgreens eyes title of US's largest retail host of EV charging

US drugstore chain Walgreens plans to have electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations up at some 800 locations across the country by the end of the year.

The plan would make the chain the largest retail host of EV charging stations in the US.

The charging stations will feature either a high-speed direct current (DC) charger that can add 30 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes of charging time, or a Level 2 charger that can add up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge.

Among the cities expected to see new charging stations being installed starting later this month are Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC. Some locations in Florida, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington will also receive charging stations.

Walgreens already has installations under way at more than 60 stores across Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago.

The retailer last year became the first drugstore chain in the US to install a geothermal energy system at one of its stores (located in Oak Park, Illinois). The company also uses an energy management system that monitors electricity, water, heating and cooling and waste management at more than 1,100 stores to help reduce energy usage and maintenance costs while extending equipment life.