Tesco and Volkswagen have partnered to develop the largest UK retail Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network.

Customers will be able to charge their electric cars using a normal 7kW charger for free or a ‘rapid’ 50 kW charger, for a small cost in line with market rate.

More than 2,400 EV charging bays will be installed by Pod Point across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years.

Jason Tarry, Tesco chief executive for the UK and Ireland, said: “This is part of our wider commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that matter most to our customers, colleagues and communities.”

Erik Fairbairn, chief executive of Pod Point, added that this agreement represents a 14 per cent increase in the number of public charge bays in the UK. “It is a massive leap forward for the UK and a significant step in our mission to put a Pod Point everywhere you park.”

EV charging bays are currently available in 19 Tesco stores in the following locations: Bromley by Bow, Cefn Mawr, Elmers End, Haddington, Kennington Vauxhall, Kensington, Crawley Hazelwick, Lincoln, Newcastle upon Tyne, Oxford, Ramsey, Rotherham, Sheffield Savil, Slough Wellington, Stourbridge, Sunderland Retail Park, Swansea Llansmlet, Watford and Woolwich Extra.

Last month, Volkswagen revealed it was drawing up plans to take on the likes of Tesla by building up to 50 million electric cars on its new platform and expanding its US manufacturing operations.

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