Sainsbury’s has today launched Smart Charge, a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging business that will give drivers access to ultra-rapid EV charging points across its stores.
Sainsbury’s 150kW Smart Charge bays are designed to be reliable and easy to use, with 750 bays to be installed in more than 100 Sainsbury’s locations by the end of 2024.
Recognising the desire for trusted EV charging in the UK and the benefits for customers of being able to charge their vehicles while doing their shopping, Sainsbury’s believes the convenience, speed and reliability of Smart Charge will represent a game changer for EV users.
As new hubs are opened, details will be published on the Smart Charge website.
Smart Charge will have over 750 bays in more than 100 Sainsbury’s locations by the end of 2024.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Property, Procurement & EV Ventures, said:
“With our new network of easy-to-use and reliable charging points conveniently located in our supermarkets, Smart Charge will make a real difference to EV drivers in the UK.
"As one of the few providers to be focusing exclusively on cutting-edge ultra-rapid 150kW+chargers, customers can be in and out in as little as half an hour and avoid waiting longer with less powerful alternatives. What’s more, they can even grab a coffee or pick up some groceries while they’re there."
Smart Charge is already installed and live at more than 20 Sainsbury’s stores, where EV charging is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Melanie Shufflebotham, COO & Co-founder of Zapmap, said:
"The prospect of 750 new ultra-rapid chargers at Sainsbury's stores up and down the UK is good news for electric car drivers. It will provide any drivers who are not able to charge at home with much-needed local options – allowing them to charge while doing the weekly shop, serving drivers on longer journeys, as well as providing facilities for a quick break or snack.
"Zapmap's latest figures show that record growth in the number of ultra-rapid chargers and high-power hubs across the UK was the defining characteristic of 2023. It's great to see this trend continuing in 2024 with Sainsbury’s launch of Smart Charge.
"Our focus at Zapmap continues to be on providing electric car drivers with the information they need to find reliable, available charging while they're out and about. So we very much look forward to putting Sainsbury's 100 new Smart Charge locations on the map as they are rolled out in 2024. From our EV driver survey, we know that not all charge points are created equal. With any luck, drivers will be able to taste the difference when topping up at Sainsbury's new ultra-rapid charging points."
Find charge points easily with Zapmap, whether you’re searching for EV charging on the go with the Zapmap app, or deciding on your route ahead of an EV adventure with our desktop map, Zapmap makes searching, planning and paying for EV charging simple.
