Free electric car charging now available at Wellingborough supermarket

Electric car owners in Wellingborough can now charge their vehicles for free at the town’s Tesco superstore.

Volkswagen and Tesco have teamed up to provide the largest retail electric vehicle charging network in the UK – powered by Pod Point, giving EV drivers a place to charge their cars while doing their shopping.

The Tesco Superstore in Victoria Park has now been fitted with complimentary charging points.

Owners of electric cars made by any EV manufacturer can use the 7kW charging points for free.

Drivers just need to download the Pod Point app, plug in the charger and confirm their charge.

The free charging points are a response to the growing demand for electric cars, with Volkswagen committed to help transform accessibility for EV owners.

It is part of a nationwide roll-out which will see 2,400 charging points installed at up to 600 Tesco stores over three years – with all electricity used to charge cars generated from renewable sources.

Sebastian Spree, general sales manager at Parkway Volkswagen, Northampton, said: “Volkswagen is serious about electric cars and we’re really excited about the arrival of our new ID.3 family hatchback, which will arrive in the UK later this year.

“As part of our commitment to improved e-mobility, we’re delighted to have teamed up with Tesco and Pod Point to provide free charging points for electric car owners shopping in Wellingborough.

“It is part of Volkswagen’s aim to improve EV ownership for all drivers and the initial response from motorists is really encouraging.”

Recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed registrations for EVs are up by 158 per cent this year.

Volkswagen currently offers the e-up! electric car and Passat GTE plug-in hybrid in the UK and is currently taking orders for its new ID.3 family hatchback – a car that will spawn a huge new range of pure electric ID. cars of all shapes and sizes.

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, said: “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 a little help to make this easier.”

Erik Fairbairn, from Pod Point, added: “We’re really excited to be providing drivers in Wellingborough with more opportunities to charge while they shop.

“Working with Tesco and Volkswagen to roll out smart, easy-to-use chargepoints across the UK will help accelerate EV adoption.”

It is estimated the average electric car owner will be able to get around 22.5 miles of free charge while plugging in for their weekly shop.

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