Supercharging EVs, Costco Style
Costco just made a bold move into the EV future. At a store in Northport, Florida, the company installed six ultra-fast chargers in just 54 days—thanks to Electric Era, a startup built by former SpaceX engineers. This isn’t just another charger rollout. It’s a retail-ready revolution in how and where EVs power up.
Built in Record Time
Electric Era signed the deal with Costco on April 7. By April 18, they had permits and plans submitted. Chargers were live by May 30. That pace is nearly unheard of in an industry that often works in quarters, not weeks.
The secret? A smart, battery-backed system that slashes the need for major grid upgrades. It avoids delays while cutting power demand by up to 70%—a win for utilities and store owners alike.
Designed for Drivers and Shoppers
These aren’t just quick chargers. With 200 kWh output, they can get an EV to 80% in 20 to 60 minutes. Drivers plug in, validate payment via app, and walk into the store to shop—seamlessly.
Plus, the chargers come loaded: CCS and NACS connectors, 24/7 monitoring, fault detection, OTA updates, 32-inch screens for promos, and even Costco membership integration. It’s charging with perks.
A Strategic Retail Boost
Each charging session keeps customers on-site for 30+ minutes—plenty of time to shop. For Costco, this means increased foot traffic and higher spending per visit. CEO Quincy Lee says the goal is simple: fast, reliable EV charging that benefits both drivers and businesses.
What’s Next?
Florida’s just the beginning. Electric Era’s scalable model could expand to malls, gas stations, and more. With help from federal incentives like NEVI, the Costco-Electric Era model might just shape the next phase of America’s charging infrastructure.
From Rockets to Retail
Built on the “first principles” mindset made famous at SpaceX, this project proves EV infrastructure can move at startup speed—with reliability, scale, and real-world utility baked in.
