Zest has rolled out EV charging facilities at six Central Co-op sites across the Midlands, Lancashire, and East Anglia.
The charge points – located at Wirksworth, Shelton Lock, Wildwood, Hambleton, Hethersett Local Centre, and Thornton‑Cleveleys – have speeds ranging from 30kW to 120kW.
With 20 stores now in the pipeline, the partnership will see Zest deliver further charging facilities across a mix of new and existing stores, as well as at selected petrol stations.
Based in Leeds, Zest works in partnership with local authorities and the real estate sector across the UK, and the central Co-op deployment is part of its growing portfolio of partnerships with national retailers.
Under the multi-year agreement, Zest will fund, deploy, and operate the charging infrastructure.
Andy Peake, Central Co-op Chief Operating Officer said, “As a member-owned Co-operative Society, we’re focused on longevity, prioritising the needs of our colleagues, members, and the communities we serve, as well as our planet.
“We have ambitious goals to build on our longstanding Carbon Neutral commitments and aim to be 100% green energy self-sufficient by 2030 and Net Zero by 2040.
“Working with key partners like Zest to facilitate better access to EV charging moves us further along on our journey to sustainability.”
Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, said, “Expanding EV charging into retail locations like Central Co-op stores ensures that sustainable transport is accessible where people live, work, and shop.
“As a B Corp, we share the values of the Co-op movement, and we are making charging more convenient for customers while helping stores play a leading role in the transition to cleaner, more responsible mobility.”
