Volkswagen to install free EV charging points at 600 Tesco stores

Volkswagen has announced plans to install 2,400 electric vehicle charging points at Tesco stores across the UK. 

The car manufacturer said the rollout is already underway and EV drivers at 100 Tesco stores are now able to top up their battery for free while shopping.

All electricity used to charge cars at the Tesco sites comes from renewable sources.

According to research conducted by Volkswagen, the average Brit spends 50 minutes per week in a supermarket.

If electric car owners were to plug in their vehicles for these 50 minutes they could get around 22.5 miles of free charging.

Over a whole year, this works out as 1,170 miles, the equivalent of driving from London to Rome.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, British sales of electric vehicles are up by 125% this year.

This growth is set to continue, a survey conducted by Volkswagen on 2,000 UK motorists has revealed that 41% are considering leasing or owning an EV as their next vehicle.

More than two thirds (68%) said they think that companies in the UK should be doing more to encourage motorists to make the switch to electric cars, with six in ten adults agreeing that they are more likely to buy an electric car if they can charge them for free.

Geraldine Ingham, head of marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: ‘Volkswagen literally means the people’s car, and with the ID.3 we are making electric car ownership more accessible.

‘This fantastic partnership with Tesco and Pod Point makes choosing an electric car even more attractive, allowing people to charge for free, all while going about their daily business.

‘We are really pleased to help break down any remaining barriers to opting for an electric car.’

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO added: ‘We’re now well on our way to achieving our ambition of installing more than 2,400 EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores.

‘Providing customers with charging points offers them a sustainable choice and giving people the opportunity to charge for free while they shop is another way to help make people’s lives easier.’

SSE Energy Services has also launched a new tariff for electric vehicle (EV) owners, giving them up to 2,000 kWh of free electricity a year when they charge their car overnight at home.

Photo Credit – Volkswagen