Volkswagen and Tesco have partnered to provide the largest retail electric vehicle charging network in the UK – powered by Pod Point, giving EV drivers a place to charge their cars while doing their shopping.
As part of the rollout the Tesco Extra store on Ocotal Way in Swindon has had charge points installed complementing other charge points installed in the region, including at the Tesco on Cricklade Rd in Cirencester.
Owners of electric cars made by any EV manufacturer can use the 7kW charging points for free. They then just need to download the Pod Point app, plug in the charger and confirm their charge.
The free charging points are a response to the growing demand for electric cars, with Volkswagen committed to help transform accessibility for EV owners.
It is part of a nationwide rollout which will see 2,400 charging points installed at up to 600 Tesco stores over three years – with all electricity used to charge cars generated from renewable sources.
Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, who visited the new charge points at Swindon Tesco Extra, welcomed the installation:
He said: “I am pleased that Volkswagen has joined forces with Tesco here in Swindon to install new electric vehicle charge points for customers to use.
“We now have 24,000 publicly accessible charge-points across the UK and more than 2,500 are rapid devices, one of the largest networks in Europe.
“In addition, the government has announced a £400million investment, half of which will come from government funding and half from private business, that will see thousands more electric charge points installed across the UK, including here in the town.”
Craig Endicott, head of business, Inchcape Volkswagen Swindon, said: “Volkswagen is serious about e-mobility and we’re really excited about the arrival of our new ID.3 electric family hatchback, which will arrive in the UK later this year.
“As part of our commitment to improving charging infrastructure, we’re delighted to be partnering with Tesco and Pod Point on this exciting project to provide electric car drivers with free charging points.
“Demand in electric cars continues to grow and we’re proud to be doing our bit to making charging a bit more convenient for all EV drivers.”
Recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed registrations for EVs are up by 200 per cent this year.
Volkswagen currently offers the e-up! electric car and Passat GTE plug-in hybrid in the UK and is currently taking orders for its new ID.3 family hatchback – a car that will spawn a huge new range of pure electric ID. cars of all shapes and sizes.
Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, said: “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 them the opportunity to charge their car for free while they shop is a little help to make this easier.”
Erik Fairbairn, from Pod Point, added: “We’re really excited to be providing drivers in Swindon and Cirencester with more opportunities to charge while they shop.
“Working with Tesco and Volkswagen to roll out smart, easy-to-use chargepoints across the UK will help accelerate EV adoption.”
It is estimated the average electric car owner will be able to get around 22.5 miles of free charge while plugging in for their weekly shop.
This is the equivalent of 1,170 miles per year of free electricity – enough to drive from Swindon to Barcelona.
Research from Volkswagen also found that 69 per cent of people think companies in the UK should be doing more to encourage motorists to make the switch to electric cars, while 55 per cent said they are more likely to use a brand if it is serious about reducing its carbon footprint
Volkswagen, which plans to sell one million electric cars per year by 2023, has created an online calculator which lets shoppers find out how many free miles per year they could get from using the charging points.
