8 April 2024

Supermarkets offering EV charge points to customers increases again in 2024

According to recent analysis by Zapmap and the RAC, one in ten supermarkets in the UK now provides access to an electric vehicle (EV) charge point, marking a significant advancement in EV infrastructure.

The study reveals that supermarkets have expanded their charging network substantially in the last year, with over 600 new charging locations added in 2023 alone, representing a 59% increase from the previous year. Consequently, the number of stores equipped with charging facilities has risen to 1,616, constituting 13% of all 12,839 UK supermarkets, compared to 1,015 in 2022.

Overall, there has been a 10.5% increase in public charging points in the UK in the first quarter of 2024, with the installation of nearly 6000 charging points in the first three months of the year alone, installation rates are increasing by 35% year on year.

The installation of charging devices has risen by 69%, with 1,195 new units added last year, bringing the total to 2,916 by the end of 2023, up from 1,721 in January 2022.

The analysis indicates that the majority of these installations (1,107 units) were rapid or ultra-rapid chargers, reflecting a remarkable 145% increase from 2022. Consequently, over half (55%) of all supermarket charging points now offer higher-powered charging capabilities.

As of the end of last year, supermarket locations accounted for 10% of all rapid and ultra-rapid chargers in the UK, totaling 1,107 units out of 10,967 nationwide.

Following the significant investment in rapid and ultra rapid chargers, fleet drivers will benefit from the speed and availability of these chargers.