Rolling out from today, customers using Sainsbury’s Smart Charge ultra-rapid EV charging service will be able to collect Nectar points, rewarding them for charging their electric vehicles.

Smart Charge says it’s the first EV charging service in the UK to offer a national loyalty scheme

All Smart Charge customers with active Nectar accounts will be able to charge their electric vehicle and collect Nectar points from the end of June, gaining one Nectar point for every pound spent.

It’s said to be the first EV charging service in the UK to offer a national loyalty scheme – and users can spend points at consumer brands including Sainsbury’s, Argos and British Airways.

EV drivers without a Nectar account can register via the Nectar app or website, or get a card in Sainsbury’s stores and register at home.

The Smart Charge ultra-rapid EV charging network launched in January 2024, marked out as the only fully owned and end-to-end managed EV charging business from a UK supermarket. It now provides access to more than 400 charging bays with 150kW chargers.

The retailer network has also now gained its 50th Smart Charge EV charging location, with 12 new bays now available at the Sainsbury’s London Enfield Superstore, just off the A10.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures, said: “Today marks a huge milestone for our Smart Charge business as we become the first EV charging provider to offer customers loyalty benefits from a UK leading loyalty programme, Nectar. Rolling out across June, customers using any of our 400 Smart Charge bays across the country will now be able to benefit from collecting Nectar points to spend on their favourite brands.

“With bays in more locations than ever before, and Sainsbury’s stores conveniently placed far and wide, it has never been easier for EV drivers across the UK to access ultra-rapid facilities, and now they can reap the benefit of Nectar points too. Not to forget the added advantage of popping into a Sainsbury’s store to pick up some groceries while waiting for their vehicle charge to complete.

“Our Enfield store is a fantastic location, in a popular residential area of North London and near main roads, making it an ideal spot for our 50th location.”

New charging hubs are being added to the Smart Charge network throughout the UK regularly, with service information and new openings published on www.smartcharge.co.uk.