Supermarket survey: Only 22 ASDA stores offer EV charging

Latest research undertaken by the RAC has revealed that while most supermarket chains are embracing the notion of EV charging – some of them very enthusiastically – ASDA appear to be in reverse. 

Following the end of their contract with bp pulse, the number of chargers available at their stores has plumetted from 246 in 2021, to 165 in 2022 and just 46 in 2023. Only 22 of their stores – 2% of their estate – offer any charging at all. 

However, the news from the other major supermarkets is considerably more positive. The research, which was conducted in partnership with Zapmap, shows that last year the number of supermarkets offering EV charge points rose from 1,015  to 1,616.

The number of individual chargers increased by nearly 70% with 1,195 new charge points going live last year, a 92% of which were rapid or ultra-rapid chargers – which are now available at over half of those supermarkets who offer EV charging.

Sainsbury’s, who recently launched  its ultra-rapid network Smart Charge have grown their numbers most dramatically, by around nearly tripling the number of chargers in their estate last year, but in terms of numbers, Tesco is to of the pile with 1,305 chargers in total, having added 497 chargers last year. The company now has nearly 900 more devices than its nearest EV charging rival Morrisons, which has 413 chargers.  

Morrisons had 413 devices across 344 of its 497 stores, all but two of which have rapid chargers. 

Lidl has 346 chargers across its 960 stores in 2023, with 91% offering rapid charging.

RAC EV spokesperson Simon Williams said: ‘Concerns about the lack of public charge points are one of the biggest reasons why drivers aren’t choosing to go electric when buying their next car, with six-in-10 telling us this. It’s very encouraging to see supermarkets doing their best to allay these fears by ramping up EV charging facilities across a greater proportion of their estates.

‘The data also shows a surge of investment in the very fastest chargers. These rapid and ultra-rapid units are the closest drivers can get to filling up with fuel because they offer the fastest charging speeds, helping to reduce queues so motorists can resume their journeys as quickly as possible.

‘As the supermarkets currently dominate UK fuel sales, it makes sense for them to try to retain as much of that market as they can by catering to the needs of all EV drivers looking to recharge as quickly as possible.

‘It’s also great to see them bringing rapid charging to more urban areas, as this complements the obvious and much-needed focus on motorway service areas.’