Sainsbury’s expands ultra-rapid EV charging network with Leicester hub

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has expanded its new, ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging network with the opening of a hub at its store in Fosse Park, Leicester.

The company has said it will deploy 750 charging bays by the end of the year, with the 150kW chargers at more than 100 stores.

The Fosse Park hub, which operates under the company's Smart Charge brand, currently consists of 12 bays, with six more due to be added by the summer, making it the supermarket's largest hub so far.

Already available at more than 20 Sainsbury’s stores, the accessible charging bays will be added to the Smart Charge network throughout the UK, with service information and new openings published on www.smartcharge.co.uk.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures, said: “With our new network of easy-to-use and reliable charging points conveniently located in our supermarkets, 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-plus 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.

“We’re committed to reducing our carbon emissions and reaching net zero in our operations by 2035 and offering a national EV charging service forms part of this pledge.”

Smart Charge is the first and only EV charging business to be fully owned and managed end-to-end by a UK supermarket.

The service, says Sainsbury’s, is intended to help advance the uptake of EVs, supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Anthony Browne, Government minister for technology and decarbonisation, 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.

“Together with industry we’ve supported the installation of over 52,600 charge points across the UK, an increase of 44% from last year.”

Sainsbury’s has committed to achieving net zero in its own operations by 2035 and net zero across its value chain by 2050.