Tesco and Volkswagen partner to provide the largest retail Electric Vehicle charging network in the UK – powered by Pod Point

30 November 2018

Tesco and Volkswagen are proud to announce the development of the largest UK retail Electric Vehicle charging network, powered by Pod Point. Customers will be able to charge their electric cars using a normal 7kW charger for free or a ‘rapid’ 50 kW charger for a small cost in line with market rate.

The UK’s leading fuel retailer and the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer will roll out over 2,400 EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years. The charging bays will be based in Tesco Extra and Superstore car parks and will be installed by Pod Point.

Tesco wants to offer customers and local communities an alternative to fossil fuels, and also play its part in supporting the transition to a low-carbon, clean air UK. This builds on Tesco’s commitment to 100% renewable electricity made in May 2017.

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, said:

“This is part of our wider commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that matter most to our customers, colleagues and communities. We want to be the leading Electric Vehicle energy provider and to support our customers with more sustainable solutions. Our EV network provides a sustainable choice for our customers and charging while they shop is another little help to make their lives easier.”

Jesse Norman, the Minister for EVs at the Department for Transport, said:

“The Government is committed to making the UK the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle. For that we need high quality infrastructure in place to support ultra-low emission vehicles around the country. The Government set out plans in its Road to Zero strategy to deliver a significant increase in this infrastructure and we welcome Tesco’s pledge to roll out over 2,400 new charge bays across their stores.”

Geraldine Ingham, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen UK, said:

“This incredibly exciting partnership underlines the scale and ambition of our electric car programme in the UK. Working with these partners to provide such an extensive network of EV chargers should leave no one in any doubt about the Volkswagen brand’s wholehearted commitment to an electric future.”

Erik Fairbairn, CEO of Pod Point, said:

“This agreement represents a 14% increase in the number of public charge bays in the UK and is a monumental day for electric vehicle drivers. It is a massive leap forward for the UK and a significant step in our mission to put a Pod Point everywhere you park.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Further information available from:
  • Tesco Press Office: 01707 918 701
  • VW Press Office: 01908 601 106
• EV charging bays are currently available in 19 Tesco stores in the following locations:
  • Superstores: Bromley by Bow, Cefn Mawr, Elmers End, Haddington, Kennington Vauxhall and Kensington.
  • Extra stores: Crawley Hazelwick, Lincoln, Newcastle upon Tyne, Oxford, Ramsey, Rotherham, Sheffield Savil, Slough Wellington, Stourbridge, Sunderland Retail Park, Swansea Llansmlet, Watford and Woolwich Extra.
• The partnership supports Tesco’s Little Helps Plan which aims to make a positive difference to communities and promote a sustainable future.
• Other initiatives Tesco has developed as part of our goal to protect the environment and source products sustainably and responsibly for our customers include:
  • Joining forces with WWF to make food more sustainable.
  • Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity as part of being the first company to set a Science-based carbon reduction target aligned to a 1.5 degree Paris Climate Agreement: RE100.
  • Ensuring all our Tuna is sourced sustainably.
  • Trialling new innovation as part of closing the loop on plastic waste.
  • Working to improve local community air quality and reduce carbon emissions by transitioning our home delivery fleet to EV by 2028.
  • Further information via the Little Helps Plan available here.
• Pod Point was founded in 2009 and has installed more than 2,500 publicly available charge bays at key strategic locations including major retailers, service stations, transport hubs, hotels and restaurants. The company is an official charge point supplier for major car brands in the UK and Norway, including Jaguar Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Volvo, Hyundai, Renault, Citroen, Audi and Peugeot.
• The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is present in more than 150 markets throughout the world and produces vehicles at over 50 locations in 14 countries. In 2017, Volkswagen produced 6.23 million vehicles including bestselling models such as the Golf, Tiguan, Jetta or Passat. Currently, 198,000 people work for Volkswagen across the globe. The brand also has 7,700 dealerships with 74,000 employees. Volkswagen is forging ahead consistently with the development of automobile production. E-mobility, Smart mobility and the digital transformation of the brand are the key strategic topics for the future.