Case Study | How Costco and Electric Era Are Transforming the EV Charging Experience for Retailers

Overview

When Costco's new store opening in Ridgefield, Washington faced EV charging requirements, Costco needed a solution that would align with their premium member experience while still meeting aggressive timelines. Traditional utility upgrades can require multiple years – Costco only had weeks. Working with Electric Era, Costco implemented a battery-backed DC fast charging solution that enabled rapid deployment while maintaining their high standards for reliability and member service. The result was an industry-leading deployment that set a new benchmark for retail EV charging implementations.

The Challenge

Local mandates required EV charging at Costco’s Ridgefield location prior to permit closeout. Installing EV fast charging stations (level 3) traditionally requires significant utility infrastructure resulting in lengthy design and construction timelines. Costco’s key priority was to keep their new store opening on track. Costco needed an innovative solution that would:

• Comply with local EV charging requirements
• Operate within the constraints of only 200kVa of available grid power
• Meet their fixed store opening deadline
• Maintain their premium member experience with highly reliable charging
• Support future loyalty integration to deliver value to members
  

"Traditional EV charging projects often take years to complete. This timeline simply didn't align with Costco's urgent needs for their store opening."

— Lang Reynolds, VP of Implementation & Operations at Electric Era, former Circle K executive

The Solution: Reimagining EV Charging for Retail Success

Costco selected Electric Era's approach because it uniquely addresses the complex needs of large-scale retail operations. By focusing on reliable member experience, cost efficiency, and unmatched speed-to-market, Electric Era delivered a comprehensive charging solution that is specifically tailored for premium retail environments.

Reliability and Speed to Market

At the core of the solution is Electric Era's patented battery-backed technology, delivering 98%+ uptime per port—ensuring charging stations are consistently operational and available. This innovative approach allowed Costco to bypass traditional infrastructure constraints and avoid lengthy construction and utility timelines, enabling rapid deployment to meet their store opening deadline.

Enhanced Member Experience

The solution goes beyond basic charging infrastructure to maximize the lifetime value of EV-driving members by having:

• Premium brand and member experiences through a customizable touchscreen
• Fast charging sessions aligned with shopping patterns to drive in store sales
• Future loyalty program integration capabilities to increase member retention

Operational Excellence

Electric Era's solution delivers significant business advantages through:

• Cost savings through avoided grid upgrades and reduced demand charges
• Transparent per-port reliability and financial metrics to make informed business decisions
• Streamlined energy management to deploy in grid constrained areas

Implementation Details

Electric Era executed an industry-leading pace of deployment by utilizing their proprietary software with battery-backed storage to bypass traditional infrastructure constraints. The team installed three 200kW chargers and a standalone battery with 250kW discharge power and 379kWh energy capacity, all connected by the patented energy management software system. This advanced system provided Costco with the ability to save costs on grid infrastructure (CapEx) and demand charges (OpEx).

To drive accountability as a premier and reliable solution provider, Electric Era offered a financial guarantee of 98%+ uptime per port. Electric Era installed customizable full-screen displays for personalized messaging and promotions as an extension of the Costco brand. The station is monitored 24/7 by Electric Era's Network Operations Center and ongoing operations and maintenance services. The Costco team has full visibility to station performance and operations with real-time dashboard data analytics.

Results

While specific performance metrics are not yet available due to the recency of the installation, the deployment of the Electric Era Charging station at Costco has already yielded significant impact:

• Unprecedented Speed: The rapid deployment time (significantly faster than industry standards), allowed Costco to meet its store opening deadline.
  
  
• Enhanced Member Value: The reliable and efficient charging infrastructure provides a positive experience to Costco members, increasing store traffic and member satisfaction.
  
  
• Cost Efficiency: The battery-backed storage system offers significant cost savings on grid upgrades and demand charges, benefiting Costco's return on investment.
  
  
• Brand Alignment: The customizable interface allows Costco to extend its brand experience from the store to the parking lot, reinforcing member loyalty.
  
  
• Future Growth Potential: The successful deployment at the Ridgefield location paves the way for potential expansion to other Costco stores and underscores the company's commitment to sustainability and member experience.Results

Looking Ahead

By prioritizing reliability, speed, and member experience, Costco has created a blueprint for modern retail EV charging that enhances their premium brand while meeting growing sustainability demands.

Interested in learning if your project can be deployed as quickly as this Costco example? Schedule a call with us to learn more.

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