What could Costco and SpaceX possibly have in common? At first glance, not much—until you realize that a group of former SpaceX engineers just helped install six ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations at a Costco in Florida.
Yep, you read that right. In just 54 days, Electric Era—a startup founded by SpaceX alumni—turned a regular Costco parking lot into a high-tech EV charging hub. And this might just be the beginning of something much bigger.
Launch
Electric Era is the name of the startup, and they’ve made a bold entrance into the EV world by doing something most other companies take months (or years) to accomplish: deploying a full set of fast chargers in less than two months.
This first batch of six chargers landed at a Florida Costco, capable of recharging electric car batteries to 80% in just 20 to 60 minutes. If you drive an EV, you know that’s a solid deal—especially while you shop.
Speed
The installation timeline? Unbelievable. Here’s how it played out:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Contract signed | April 7 |
| Plans & permits in | April 18 |
| Chargers live | May 30 |
So, instead of waiting for quarters to roll by, Electric Era turned around an entire project in under two months. How? By cutting down on parking lot digging, avoiding unnecessary construction, and using a streamlined process that feels more like a SpaceX launch sequence than your typical utility job.
SpaceX
It’s no accident that this all came together so quickly. The team at Electric Era took inspiration from the same “first principles” thinking made famous by Elon Musk. Instead of tweaking existing systems, they rebuilt from the ground up—rethinking every part of the charging process.
The result? A high-performance system with 98.5% uptime, constant 24/7 monitoring, and smart features like:
- CCS and NACS charging connectors
- A 32-inch screen for promos or instructions
- Loyalty module that connects to Costco membership
- Fast plug-in and payment system
Charging your car while earning Costco points? That’s a win-win.
Win
Costco gets something out of this too—actually, a lot. Each charging session means a shopper stays in the store for at least 30 minutes. And let’s be honest, no one walks out of Costco empty-handed.
It turns the parking lot into a customer magnet and makes it easier for EV owners to shop without wasting time waiting at a random charging station across town.
CEO Quincy Lee summed it up best: people want fast, easy, and reliable charging. Give them that, and they’ll keep coming back.
Future
So is this just a one-time thing in Florida? Not at all. This is just the first station. Electric Era already plans to roll out more stations using the same plug-and-play method.
What makes this even more exciting is the possibility of installing chargers at other high-traffic locations—gas stations, malls, grocery stores, and more. And since they don’t need to rip up the ground for weeks, these chargers can pop up fast.
Map
According to the Energy Information Administration, about 70% of fast EV charging in the U.S. uses high-power direct current. That means placing these chargers where people already are—like shopping centers—is the smart move.
This is how EV infrastructure becomes mainstream. Not by building isolated stations far from civilization, but by integrating it into everyday life.
Strategy
Electric Era has a simple but powerful strategy:
- More chargers = more visitors
- More visitors = higher demand
- Higher demand = more stations
- More stations = less range anxiety
It’s a loop that encourages more EV use, more foot traffic for businesses, and overall growth in the charging network. It’s efficient, scalable, and surprisingly logical—kind of like something you’d expect from rocket scientists.
Policy
They’re also taking advantage of federal support. Programs like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative offer to cover up to 80% of installation costs if the chargers meet specific standards.
So not only is this fast and efficient—it’s also affordable for businesses looking to offer EV charging without massive investments.
Electric Era proves that electric mobility doesn’t have to be slow, messy, or complicated. With the right team, the right tech, and the right partners like Costco, it can move at the speed of a startup. And who knows—maybe this is just the beginning of EV stations built like rocket launches.
FAQs
How fast are the new Costco chargers?
They charge up to 80% in 20–60 minutes.
Who installed the chargers?
Electric Era, a startup by former SpaceX engineers.
Where was the first station installed?
At a Costco in Florida.
Can members earn Costco points?
Yes, the system links to Costco’s membership.
Will there be more stations soon?
Yes, expansion is already being planned.
