Tesco has joined forces with Volkswagen to announce the development of the UK’s biggest retail electric vehicle charging network.
Under the tie-up, 2,400 charging bays will be rolled out across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years.
The move will allow customers to charge electric cars using a 7kW charger for free, or a ‘rapid’ 50kW charger for a small cost, which Tesco said would be charged at the market rate.
Bays will be based in Tesco Extra and superstore car parks and installed by Pod Point.
Tesco said it wanted to offer customers an alternative to fossil fuels, and also play its part in supporting the transition to a low-carbon, clean air UK.
The move builds on the commitment to 100% renewable electricity, which the company made in May last year.
“This is part of our wider commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that matter most to our customers, colleagues and communities,” said Tesco UK and ROI CEO Jason Tarry.
“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.”
“This incredibly exciting partnership underlines the scale and ambition of our electric car programme in the UK,” said Volkswagen UK head of marketing Geraldine Ingham. “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.”
Department for Transport minister Jesse Norman added: “The government set out plans in its Road to Zero strategy to deliver a significant increase in this infrastructure and we welcome Tesco’s pledge to roll out over 2,400 new charge bays across its stores.”
No comments yet