Lidl stores with EV chargers to reach 100 in GB – Lidl Ireland committed to roll out
The roll out to Lidl stores in the UK of rapid chargers for electric vehicles has reached 100. In Ireland the company announced its commitment to the introduction of electric vehicle charging points to all new Lidl stores and across all major store refurbishment projects in 2018. That announcement meant that Lidl will provide the largest network of electric vehicle chargers in the Irish supermarket sector, enabling customers to charge their electric vehicles free of charge whilst they shop.
350 rapid chargers by 2022
Under a deal agreed in 2019, charging infrastructure provider Pod Point extended its partnership with Lidl in GB to install 350 rapid chargers by 2022.
Lidl’s EV rapid charger rollout represents a total investment in EV charging infrastructure of more than £25m and forms part of the store group’s commitment to address range anxiety and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
Lidl’s EV customers can now charge their EVs with up to 80% charging capacity in 50 minutes, and the retailer claims to be the cheapest national supermarket chain for PAYG rapid charging, at 23p/kWh.
Lidl GB
Erik Fairbairn, Pod Point founder and CEO, said: “When most people think of Lidl, they probably think of food and drink. However, Lidl has also made an enormous contribution to rapid charging infrastructure in Great Britain. Currently 2.5 out of every 100 rapid chargers in the UK can be found at Lidl stores, and there are many more in the pipeline.”
Alan Barry, chief development officer for Lidl GB, commented: “We are committed to empowering our customers to make the right decisions for their lifestyle and are delighted to have reached this important milestone of bringing rapid charging for electric vehicles to 100 of our stores. We look forward to delivering this service to even more local areas in the near future as we continue with our investment.”
The 100th charger milestone represents around 13% of the total Lidl footprint with rapid charging facilities, a figure that will grow to more than a third once the rollout completes.
