Tesco’s free EV charging network has reached the landmark of 500,000 charges – providing more than 10 million miles of complimentary EV motoring.

Tesco’s free EV charging network has now provided 500,000 charges

The supermarket announced late 2018 that it was tying up with Volkswagen and Pod Point to install free charging points at 600 supermarkets in the UK. Customers can use the 7kW chargers, along with 22kW rapid chargers where available, for free, while 50kW rapid chargers are available and “priced in line with market rates”.

The partnership has now provided its 500,000th complimentary top-up – providing three million kWh of free, carbon-neutral electricity; enough power to drive the new Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV around 10.4 million miles.

Tesco has also revealed that its Extra store in Slough has been the busiest supermarket for free charging – with the sockets used more than 10,000 times. This is followed by Tesco supermarkets in Stourbridge, Crawley, Altrincham and Bromley by Bow.

Tony Hoggett, chief operating officer at Tesco, said: “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, Pod Point founder and CEO, added: “The partnership is making great strides towards our goal of delivering the nation’s largest retail EV charging network – one that is reliable, accessible, secure and free making it even easier for drivers to choose electric and accelerate adoption.

“We look forward to powering up even more local areas as we continue our roll-out.”