Electric cars & charging points.
Volkswagen and Tesco have announced the development of the largest UK retail electric vehicle (EV) charging network, powered by Pod Point.
The vehicle manufacturer and supermarket giant 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. Customers will be able to charge their electric cars using a standard 7kW fast charger for free, or use a rapid 50 kW charger for a small cost.
Geraldine Ingham, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: “This incredibly exciting partnership 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.”
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% 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.”
