UK grocer Sainsbury’s has launched an EV charging business called ‘Smart Charge’.
The new venture will initially involve the installation of more than 750 EV charging bays at circa 100 Sainsbury’s locations by the end of 2024.
In research commissioned by Sainsbury’s in December 2023, 80% of EV users said they avoided long journeys because of not wanting to charge at public EV charging stations. Their main frustrations were listed as: chargers being broken (40%); not enough charging bays (36%); and speed of service (33%).
Smart Charge has been designed to mitigate these frustrations, with Sainsbury’s promising 150kW bays that allow drivers to fully charge their vehicle in as little as 30 minutes, providing enough power to travel up to 200 miles. Consumers can purchase the power with contactless payment at the charging hub.
The retailer said many of the chargers can also work faster if a driver’s vehicle battery can accept higher charger speeds, up to 300kW.
Sainsbury’s research found 74% of EV users currently use multiple EV charging brands, but 94% said they would prefer to use just one trusted and reliable brand. When asked why, the top reasons included reliability (63%), convenience when planning long trips (54%) and awareness of cost upfront (53%).
To date, Smart Charge – which is supported by technology from Kempower – is available at more than 20 Sainsbury’s stores, including at the retailer’s shop in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement & EV ventures, argued: “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.”
Anthony Browne, technology & decarbonisation minister, said: “Businesses play a crucial role in the delivery of EV infrastructure, so it’s great to see Sainsbury’s embracing ultra-rapid technology which will benefit EV drivers.”
Smart Charge is the first and only EV charging business to be fully owned and managed end-to-end by a UK supermarket.
[Image credit: Sainsbury’s]
