Supermarket retailer Sainsbury’s has announced the launch of an ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging business.
Smart Charge will initially rollout 150kW chargers to more than 100 stores before deploying 750 charging bays by the end of the year.
Currently available at more than 20 Sainsbury’s stores, the accessible charging bays will be added to the Smart Charge network throughout the UK.
The charging technology and equipment is provided by Kempower.
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.
“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 reportedly the first and only EV charging business to be fully owned and managed end-to-end by a UK supermarket.
The service, according to Sainsbury’s, is intended to help advance the uptake of EVs, supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Anthony Browne, UK 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 that will benefit EV drivers.
“Together with industry we’ve supported the installation of more than 52,600 chargepoints 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.
Achievements and innovations in EV charging will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
