Lidl has outlined a major expansion of its EV charging infrastructure. Customers can no longer use its rapid chargers for free – but the discounter appears to have entered an EV charging price war with Tesco.
Lidl says customers can still use 7kW chargers for free, but from this month must pay 23p/kWh to use 50kW rapid chargers, provided by Pod Point. Lidl said this is the best value on the market – and undercuts Tesco’s 24p/KWh rate. Pod Point also supplies Tesco.
Lidl plans to install rapid chargers at more than 300 stores by 2022, investing some £25m to do so. That suggests a ball bark figure of around £80,000 per site. The retailer has committed to install charging infrastructure at all new sites – where landlords agree – and retrofit some existing outlets.
Lidl GB’s chief development officer, Ingo Fischer, said its investment means customers “will be able to charge their cars in 50 minutes – less time than it takes to do a big shop” and will be able to do so “for the best price on the market”.
Tesco plans to install 2,400 charging bays across 600 stores by the end of 2021. Its 7kW chargers are also free to use.
Pod Point is an acquisition target for EDF Energy, according to reports, though the firm declined to comment on speculation.
Relates stories:
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Tesco plans major EV charging push
Do EV charge points require a supply licence? Maybe, says Ofgem
Mitie: Bigger electric vans required to decarbonise UK fleet
BP Chargemaster to install rapid chargers at 200 pubs
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