Morrisons unveils rapid charge point plan

Morrisons is unveiling its first 50 GeniePoint rapid charging points at its stores nationwide, with a further 50 planned by 2020. 

To help customers, the GeniePoint charging points have been located around the perimeter of the car parks to ensure they are available to those who need them and not obstructed by other customers, says Morrisons.

Andrew Ball, fuel and services manager of Morrisons, said: "Customers are beginning to take part in the biggest revolution in car design since the internal combustion engine was first developed. We need to follow them and give them the opportunity to charge while they shop."

The majority of the electricity will come from Engie, which buys from zero-carbon energy sources like hydroelectricity, biomass, bio-gas, wind and solar.

Alex Bamberg, managing director, Engie EV (Electric Vehicle) Solutions, the owner of the GeniePoint Network, said: “Providing convenient, fast charging facilities is essential in ensuring drivers have the confidence to switch to electric vehicles and reduce traffic pollution. 

“Morrisons supermarkets are ideally situated in communities as drivers go about their day to day activities, and will make an important contribution as we build the most reliable rapid charging network nationwide.”

Customers can register to use the GeniePoint chargers via the web app www.geniepoint.co.uk, which is free to join. There is no monthly fee and drivers only pay for the electricity they use which costs 30p per kW hour.

The news that Morrisons is growing its network of charge points comes after the Government announced funding to double the number of rapid charge points up to 5,000 in the UK.

The Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund will be managed and invested on a commercial basis by the private sector, and Government will invest up to £200m to be matched by private investors.