Asda owner EG Group has added to its EV Point electric vehicle (EV) charger network by acquiring some of Tesla’s ultra-fast charging units.
The chargers will be branded “EV Point”, the name given by EG Group to its lower carbon vehicular fuels network founded in 2021, but are built on Tesla’s technology. The hardware will operate on an open network basis, meaning all drivers will be able to access EV Point chargers regardless of the brand of vehicle they drive.
The chargers will also support the ‘Plug and Charge’ protocol, which was created to simplify and automate payments, according to EG Group.
The first of the new charger units are expected to be rolled out before the end of the year. EV Point now operates more than 600 chargers across 189 sites, and has an ambition to deploy 20,000-plus chargers across circa 3,600 of site run by the Asda owner as well as in third-party locations.
Commenting on the new hardware acquisition, Zuber Issa, founder & co-CEO of EG Group, said: “It is the first deal of its kind entered into by Tesla with a third-party charge point operator in Europe and will transform how our customers charge their vehicles and how they interact with EG.
“Since installing our first EV charger back in 2012, we have continued to invest in the technology. This deal will accelerate the delivery of vital charging infrastructure for motorists to help power the transition to net zero.”
Imraan Patel, chief strategy & business officer of the Asda owner, commented: “Our aim is to deliver a three-pronged strategy to help us reach our energy transition goals.
“These include EV charging, supporting alternative forms of vehicular fuel, and broader carbon reduction, all of which are central to our strategy of helping the world transition to a lower carbon future.”
Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, added: “The rapid installation of reliable, easy-to-use EV charging infrastructure is the right step towards a sustainable future and a key area of focus for us at Tesla.”
Asda is also working to ensure all company cars within its business are electric by 2025.
Elsewhere, Trafford’s White City Retail Park has this week installed five new ultra-rapid EV chargers thanks to a partnership between retail park operators The Derwent Group and EV charging network provider Be.EV.
