A Costco shopper said an upcoming store in Lawrence, Kansas, appears poised to add Level 3 fast chargers — a notable amenity for electric vehicle drivers near Interstate 70.
The catch, at least in shoppers' minds, is price. Users said Costco-linked chargers in other markets have at times been expensive, raising questions about whether the new stalls will actually save drivers money.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit thread, a shopper described fast-charging equipment being set up at Costco's new Lawrence store and said the units "look like the 200/400 kW stations made by Electric Era."
That original poster also said they had read the installation uses "a big battery that charges during off-peak hours to minimize demand from the grid when multiple EVs are charging simultaneously."
For shoppers following the project, the bigger unknown may be the rate. The OP said, "It will be interesting to see how Costco pricing compares to the $0.34/kWh at our local Tesla Supercharger a few miles out of town on I-70."
The location itself also drew attention. In a reply, the OP added, "The location is just off I-70 so that may have something to do with the decision to install them there."
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That placement could make the chargers useful not only for local Costco trips but also for drivers passing through the region.
Some users, though, said Costco-branded charging has not been a bargain everywhere. One said: "The Costco by me has chargers by Electrify America. There are Costco stickers on them. Unfortunately, the pricing is terrible. Really disappointed by Costco in that regard."
More background
The Lawrence installation could be significant because charging access often shapes whether EV ownership feels practical at all.
One user said that simply having fast chargers at that store would make owning an EV feel more realistic in town.
Other replies made clear that public charging and home charging play very different roles. As one said, "L2 Home charging is what I do 99% of the time, but for longer travel, charging elsewhere is a must."
A store near I-70 could help fill an important gap even for drivers who already charge at home.
Users also raised another practical concern: whether the chargers will actually be available when people need them. One predicted congestion almost immediately based on the three chargers in the photo: "Good luck finding an open one ever with that few available."
Still, price remained the biggest point of contention. A user in the Bay Area said their Costco-area charging cost was "$0.65 per kw!! Crazy" — nearly double the $0.34-per-kilowatt-hour Tesla rate cited in Lawrence.
If the Kansas store lands closer to the lower benchmark, that difference could matter at every road trip charging stop.
What's being done?
The clearest sign is that fast chargers appear to be in the works at Costco's new Lawrence location.
Some shoppers are looking beyond this one store. Another user said they had hoped Costco would "start deploying these at existing stores," suggesting that people are watching to see whether Lawrence is the start of something broader.
If the Lawrence site does include the large battery described in the thread, it could help support several fast-charging sessions while reducing peak strain on the grid.
The discussion also highlighted a routine many EV owners follow: use home charging for day-to-day driving, and lean on public fast chargers for longer trips or when convenience doesn't matter.
A Costco stop near I-70 could fit neatly into that pattern by allowing drivers to shop while they charge.
What shoppers still need, though, are the posted rates and real-world parking conditions. Ultimately, the Lawrence opening will likely be judged less by the hardware itself than by whether the chargers are affordable and easy to access.
Where can I learn more?
The Lawrence Costco discussion points to a bigger question for EV drivers: where charging is popping up and how much it costs when retailers get involved. They cover retail charging rollouts, costs, home-charging economics, and broader infrastructure plans.
• Walmart is reshaping the U.S. EV charging map while Costco shoppers wait.
• For many drivers, home charging costs five to six cents a mile.
• Persistent doubts about EVs fade when cost, price, and carbon are compared directly.
• General Motors expects rural America to see a major charger buildout.
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