Volkswagen and Tesco Free EV Charging Network Amps Up

Electric car owners could get more than 1,000 miles of free driving per year following the rollout of a ground-breaking complimentary car charging network to over 100 Tesco stores.

Volkswagen announced last year it had partnered with Tesco and Pod Point to install around 2,400 charging points for electric cars.

The rollout is well under way – with EV owners at 100 Tesco stores across the United Kingdom now able to top up their battery for free while shopping. 

To highlight the scheme, Volkswagen visited the Potters Bar store in Hertfordshire with its exciting all-electric ID.3 – the first time the model has been in the UK since its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The appearance of the new car – which arrives at UK dealerships in the summer – coincided with research by Volkswagen which revealed the average Brit spends 50 minutes per week in a supermarket buying food and drink.

Electric car owners who plug in their vehicles could get around 22.5 miles of free charging from the 7kW points during that 50-minute period – enough time to do the weekly shop.

Over a whole year this works out at 1,170 miles - the equivalent of driving from London to Rome for free.

The partnership and the new ID.3, which launches next Summer and has a range of up to 340 miles between charges, is part of Volkswagen’s drive to boost e-mobility and make electric cars more affordable.

Its production is entirely carbon-neutral, while all electricity used to charge cars at Tesco comes from renewable sources.

To find out more about Volkswagen’s electric vehicle range, contact the team at your local centre.