Tesco to install thousands of FREE electric car chargers in its store car parks

Supermarket partners with Volkswagen to announce development of UK's largest retail charging network

Tesco to install thousands of FREE electric car chargers in its store car parks
600 stores will have fast or rapid charging by 2020.

Volkswagen and Tesco has announced the development of the largest UK retail electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

The two companies will roll out more than 2,400 EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years.

The charging bays will be based in Tesco Extra and Superstore car parks throughout the United Kingdom, and will be installed by independent public charging network operator, Pod Point.

Customers will be able to charge their electric cars using a standard 7kW fast charger for free, or benefit from the use of a rapid 50 kW charger for a small cost in line with the market rate.

VW to sell one million electric cars a year

The ambitious initiative underlines Volkswagen’s commitment to becoming a leading player in e-mobility and deliver on its pledge to sell one million electric cars a year worldwide by 2025.

The ID. family of all-electric models, based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB electric platform, will begin coming to market here in the UK next year as order books open for the ID. hatch – a fully electric Golf-sized model that will be followed from 2020 by production versions of the ID. BUZZ (MPV) and ID. CROZZ (SUV) concept cars.

Geraldine Ingham, head of marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: “This incredibly exciting partnership with Tesco, powered by Pod Point, underlines the scale and ambition of our electric car programme in the UK.

“Working with these partners to provide such an extensive network of EV chargers should leave no one in any doubt about the Volkswagen brand’s wholehearted commitment to an electric future.”

Addressing environmental challenges

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, said: “This is part of our wider commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that matter most to our customers, colleagues and communities.

“We want to be the leading electric vehicle energy provider and to support our customers with more sustainable solutions. Our EV network provides a sustainable choice for our customers and charging while they shop is another little help to make their lives easier.”

Erik Fairbairn, CEO of Pod Point, said: “This agreement represents a 14 per cent increase in the number of public charge bays in the UK and is a monumental day for electric vehicle drivers.

“It is a massive leap forward for the UK and a significant step in our mission to put a Pod Point everywhere you park.”

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Home Page Forums Tesco to install thousands of FREE electric car chargers to its store car parks

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #167805 Reply

    Volkswagen and Tesco has announced the development of the largest UK retail electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

    The two companies will roll out more than 2,400 EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years.

    Customers will be able to charge their electric cars using a standard 7kW fast charger for free, or benefit from the use of a rapid 50 kW charger for a small cost in line with the market rate.

    [See the full post at: Tesco to install thousands of FREE electric car chargers to its store car parks]

    #167846 Reply
    Andrew Pywell
    Guest

    Will these charging points only charge VW or is there going to be a universal conector ?

    #167853 Reply
    Eddie Bamber
    Guest

    All manufacturers need to agree on a universal charging plug in a similar way that OBD sockets are the same on all cars.

    #167854 Reply

    Hi Andrew, it’s a good point! I’ve just contacted the VW UK press office and they have confirmed that these charging points are indeed universal.

    #167857 Reply
    Marco
    Participant

    This very interesting, but how many charging bays are being applied to each store? As on average most people spend around 45 minutes shopping. So my point is you would need at least 20 bays.
    And lets not forget that electricity comes from power stations, unless this is all wind powered electricity?.
    I see Tesco jumping on this so as they can get in first to market and win over customers. It works with the supermarket petrol stations with lower fuel prices and discount vouchers.
    Just a last thought what would stop a non shopper just using to top up?
    Rant over lol

    #187085 Reply
    Thomas Davis
    Guest

    14 Chantry Close
    MK17 8UB
    Will I need a card or dongle to activate the charging.
    I drive a Jaguar I-Pace SE 400 with a Polar card (BP Chargemaster)
    My wife and I have Tesco loyalty cards

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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