Tesco has implemented new pricing for its EV charge points from today, ending free charging at its stores.

Pod Point said that ending free charging at Tesco stores would ensure EV drivers only top up when they need to

The supermarket giant teamed up with VW and Pod Point in 2019 to roll out the UK’s “largest free charging network” of 7kW chargers and reached the landmark of more than 500 locations with free charging in March this year. Its network also includes 22kW chargers and 50kW rapids, the latter previously priced at 28p/kWh.

The new pricing tariff, revealed in a tweet by Pod Point, introduces the following charges with immediate effect:

Pod Point said that the network had provided more than 86 million miles of free electric driving and saved over 12 thousand tonnes of CO2.

It added that the new tariffs were “some of the most competitive in the market” and would enable continue investment in the network.

A spokesperson continued: “It’s hoped that by making these changes customers will only top up when they need to, ensuring that they make way for others once their cars are charged.”

Tesco also said it’s currently on track with plans to meet its target of installing EV charging at 600 stores across the UK, due to be reached in spring 2023.

It’s also worth noting that the 7kW chargers are still significantly cheaper than the typical rate a customer would pay to charge at home, under the domestic price cap of around 34p/kWh.