The way things are shaping up I think it’s fair to say that 2020 is going to be an impressive year for EV sales and the rapidly (sic) improving infrastructure needed. Which is about time really. And now news has arrived stating that electric car owners could get more than 1,000 miles of free driving per year following the rollout of a ground-breaking complimentary car charging network. Tell me more.
You may remember that Volkswagen announced last year it had partnered with Tesco and Pod Point to install around 2,400 charging points for electric cars. Well now the rollout is well under way – with EV owners at 100 Tesco stores across the United Kingdom now able to top up their battery for free while shopping.
To highlight the scheme, Volkswagen visited the Potters Bar store in Hertfordshire with its exciting all-electric ID.3 – the first time the model has been in the UK since its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The appearance of the new car – which arrives at UK dealerships in the summer – coincided with research by Volkswagen which revealed the average Brit spends 50 minutes per week in a supermarket buying food and drink.
Electric car owners who plug in their vehicles could get around 22.5 miles of free charging from the 7kW points during that 50-minute period – enough time to do the weekly shop.
And according to Volkswagen, over a whole year this works out at 1,170 miles – the equivalent of driving from London to Rome for free.
Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, commented to MotorMartin: “We’re now well on our way to achieving our ambition of installing more than 2,400 EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores.”
“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 another little help to make their lives easier.”
Where will you go?