A new study reveals that supermarkets have installed charge points in their stores, making it easier for electric vehicle owners. 

Data from Zap-Map, RAC and others confirm that nearly 1,000 new devices were retrofitted in supermarket car parks across the country between January 2020 and February 2020.

Tesco led the charge with 922 devices available in its stores. However, Morrisons has the fastest charging points.

Best supermarkets for EV owners: Tesco has installed the most electric vehicle charge points since January 2020, analysis by Zap-Map and the RAC has revealed

The best supermarkets for EV owners: Tesco installed the most electric vehicle charging points since January 2020, according to analysis by Zap-Map (RAC).

A total of 2,059 charge points are now located at UK supermarkets – up 85 per cent from 1,112 before January 2020. 

It means that almost 8 per cent of the nation’s 26,000 public charges are located at supermarkets – up from 6.5 per cent in early 2020 – and 1,300 stores across the country now have at least one charging device for EVs located on site. 

Analyses show that Tesco has purchased more chargers over the past 21 months than any other supermarket.

The grocery giant has added 641 new devices, giving it a total of 922 across its 4,008 stores – 676 more than its nearest EV charging rival, Asda, which has 246 chargers. 

Tesco now has charging facilities at 514 of its sites – 372 more than at the start of last year. It claims to currently have more than 600 stores with fuel stations attached.

The data suggests that only 13 percent of all Tesco locations now have EV charging capabilities, although the analysis includes Metro locations and Tesco Express, which do not always have dedicated parking spaces. 

This table shows the surge in installations of new charge points since the start of 2020 and now

This table shows how the number of charge points has risen since 2020.

Tesco - which does have the most stores across the country - has added 641 new charging devices in the last 21 months, giving it a total of 922 across its 4,008 stores

Tesco – which does have the most stores across the country – has added 641 new charging devices in the last 21 months, giving it a total of 922 across its 4,008 stores

The data shows few supermarkets other than Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Lidl (pictured) have, to date, decided to invest heavily in EV chargers for their customers

The data shows that only a few supermarkets (other than Tesco and Morrisons), Asda and Lidl have yet to make a significant investment in EV charging for their customers.

Morrisons installed chargers on 112 stores in the same 21-month span. This means that two in five of its supermarkets now offer charging for EVs – which is the highest proportion of any supermarket. 

Lidl is its closest rival and has chargers in a quarter (24%) of its stores. Lidl also added EV facilities at 141 locations, giving it 203 total. 

The data shows that only a few supermarkets, other than Tesco and Morrisons, Asda, Asda, and Lidl, have yet to invest in EV charging stations for their customers.

Two in five Morrisons locations now have EV charging facilities. Tesco's coverage of 13% of stores is due to it having far more sites across the country - and the data likely includes Tesco Express and Metro stores, which don't always have dedicated car parks

Two out of five Morrisons locations have EV charging stations. Tesco’s 13% coverage is due to having more locations across the country. The data likely includes Metro and Tesco Express stores, which don’t always have dedicated car parking.

Morrisons has some of the most rapid-charging devices 

Both Zap-Map, and the RAC both stated that supermarkets are the best places to charge EVs. They estimate that shoppers spend around 45 minutes shopping in supermarkets each day. This is plenty of time to charge a plug-in vehicle’s batteries. 

The RAC states that drivers can make longer journeys by having access to rapid chargers. 

From September 2021 to the beginning of 2020, 280 more fast charge points were installed in supermarkets. This means that there are now 454 EV driving devices available for shoppers to use.

Morrisons leads the charge with rapid devices, at 41% (197 locations) in its 497 stores, compared to Lidl, which boasts 17% of its 860 locations. 

Morrisons is the supermarket with the largest network of rapid electric charging points, allowing customers to replenish the batteries of their electric and plug-in hybrid cars in 20 minutes

Morrisons is the largest supermarket network with rapid electric charging stations, allowing customers to recharge their electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles in just 20 minutes.

Morrisons is leading the way with rapid devices. Of its 497 stores, 197 have the fastest-charging points

Morrisons leads the charge in rapid devices. Out of 497 stores, 197 are the fastest-charging locations

While Tesco clearly has more chargers of any speed, it currently lags behind Morrisons and Lidl with when it comes to rapids with just 64 – and all but two of those were added since early 2020.  

Zap-Map founder Melanie Shufflebotham stated that it was encouraging to see that supermarkets are making progress with charging installations due to the surge in EV sales. This is especially true since covid lockdowns were lifted.

She stated that these facilities would be useful for both ‘top-up’ charging as well as replacing home charging. 

“As we move towards 2030,” said the supermarkets. They will need to not only accelerate their roll-out, but also provide simple payment options and open access to consumers to make their shopping experience as easy as possible. 

The report comes days following a Freedom of Information request made to UK councils. It revealed that half of the respondents had not invested any money in public charging infrastructure within the last 12 month.

Another October report warned that Britain must almost double its current number of public charging points in order to meet electric vehicle demand before the ban on new petrol and diesel hybrid cars.

As we move towards 2030, supermarkets will need to not only accelerate the roll-out of these products but also ensure that consumers have a great experience by providing easy payment options and open access. 

 Melanie Shufflebotham, Zap-Map

New AutoMotive, a transport research group, reported that an average of 27 new devices are added daily to the public charging network – a number which needs to rise to 50. 

There are currently 24,000 public charging stations, with 230,000 required by 2035 if motorists wish to have easy access for plugging into their zero-emission vehicles.

New AutoMotive warned against the possibility that the Government’s green goals could be ‘undermined’ by charger installations not being upped at an adequate rate in order to meet the growing demand of EVs, despite the ban on new internal-combustion engine cars being installed eight years away.

Sarah Winward-Kotecha, director of RAC EVs, said that while most drivers will be able to charge their cars at home, it won’t always be possible for all. Access to charging stations at supermarkets is essential and could help speed up EV adoption.

Rapid charge points allow you to charge your electric vehicle quickly without the need for a home charger. 

“We appeal to all supermarket chains to inform customers about EV charging provisions and to recognize the vital role they play when encouraging more drivers to switch to electric cars. 

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