Octopus Electroverse members can now access the Sainsbury’s Smart Charge network with just a tap of their cards.

More than 560 Sainsbury’s ultra-rapid EV chargers are available through Octopus Electroverse

The partnership delivers access to more than 560 ultra-rapid EV chargers at 68 stores, each able to power up an EV in under 30 minutes.

As an added bonus, between 16 December and 10 January, every £1 spent on charging earns drivers five Nectar points, unlocking savings on customers’ festive shopping.

Sainsbury’s launched its Smart Charge network at the start of 2024, rolling out 150kW+ ultra-rapid chargers at its stores to support the switch to electric vehicles. All sites feature fully accessible bays and deliver a reliable service with +99% uptime.

Octopus Electroverse’s ‘one card, one app’ model drastically simplifies public charging, eliminating the hassle of downloading multiple apps.

Matt Davies, director of Octopus Electroverse, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Sainsbury’s Smart Charge chargers to Electroverse. Their rapidly increasing number of ultra-rapid supermarket chargers helps fit electric car charging perfectly into daily routines. Drivers also get extra Nectar points when powering up with Electroverse over the next few weeks – just in time for the festive season.”

Patrick Dunne, director of property, procurement and EV ventures at Sainsbury’s, added: “This partnership represents another critical step in our ambition to make EV charging simple and accessible to all – it couldn’t come at a better time for us as Sainsbury’s gears up to create a Big Christmas for all, with something to satisfy every customer’s taste and budget.”