The number of electric vehicle charge points available at supermarkets has almost doubled in the last two years, new research shows.
Carried out by the RAC and Zap-Map, the analysis reveals 542 charger units were installed by supermarkets between October 2017 and the end of 2019.
This takes the total number now available to 1,115 – an increase of 95%.
It also means 6.5% of all the UK’s public charge points are located at supermarkets.
The number of stores offering charging facilities has also doubled over the same time period, with 608 supermarket sites now catering for battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Asda (19%) and Morrisons (18%) have the greatest proportion of stores with charge points.
While Tesco currently only has 4% of stores with charging capability, it has the highest total number of stores with these facilities.
The RAC points out many supermarket chains – particularly Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Co-op – have stores in city or town centre locations which do not have car parks.
Simon Williams, RAC spokesman, said: “It is extremely positive to see the supermarkets making it easy for drivers to go electric. Having more chargers that are readily available will help to speed up the transition from petrol and diesel cars to electric ones.
“We have always said that it makes sense for people to be able to charge at supermarkets because anyone doing a full shop will inevitably spend 45 minutes in store.
“The UK’s big four supermarkets currently dominate fuel retailing so it will be very interesting to see if a similar battle will develop in EV charging.”
Zap-Map is an app which enables drivers to locate and update electric vehicle charge points in the UK and Ireland.
Comment on this story