UK Supermarket EV Charging: Free & Discounted Complete Guide 2025

UK supermarkets now operate over 3,500 public EV chargers across their car parks—many offering free or heavily discounted charging while you shop. For savvy EV owners, supermarket charging can save £200-£400 annually compared to motorway rapid charging, whilst completing your weekly shop.

This comprehensive guide covers every major UK supermarket's EV charging offering in 2025, identifies the best deals, explains how to maximise savings, and provides strategies for integrating supermarket charging into your home charging routine.

Why Supermarkets Are Investing in EV Charging

UK supermarkets are rolling out thousands of EV chargers for clear business reasons:

Customer dwell time: EV charging takes 20-60 minutes—perfect for a full grocery shop. Supermarkets profit from shoppers spending more time (and money) in-store.

Competitive differentiation: Free or cheap charging attracts price-conscious EV drivers, who tend to be higher-income customers.

Future-proofing: By 2030, an estimated 40-50% of UK car journeys will be EVs. Supermarkets are building charging infrastructure now to secure this growing customer base.

Low operating costs: Supermarkets negotiate wholesale electricity rates far cheaper than residential tariffs, allowing them to offer competitive (or free) charging profitably.

Result: UK EV owners gain access to thousands of convenient, affordable charging points integrated into routine shopping trips.

UK Supermarket Charging Networks 2025

1. Tesco (Pod Point) – FREE 7kW Charging

Network: Pod Point Charger type: 7kW (slow) and 22kW (fast) AC chargers Locations: 600+ Tesco stores (largest supermarket network) Cost: FREE for 7kW chargers whilst shopping Cost (22kW fast chargers): 28-40p/kWh depending on location Charging time: 1 hour at 7kW adds ~24 miles (7 kWh)

How it works:

1. Download Pod Point app
2. Park at Tesco with EV charger bays
3. Connect cable and start charge via app
4. Shop for 30-60 minutes
5. Return to car with free charging added

Typical session (1-hour shop):

• Energy added: 7 kWh
• Range added: 20-25 miles
• Cost: £0 (FREE)
• Equivalent saving: £1.75-£2.10 vs home charging (25p/kWh)

Pros: ✅ Completely free 7kW charging ✅ 600+ locations (most accessible network) ✅ Reliable Pod Point infrastructure ✅ Perfect for weekly shopping routine

Cons: ❌ Slow charging (7kW) = limited range per shop ❌ 22kW fast chargers cost 28-40p/kWh (not free) ❌ 3-hour time limit (may not suit long shops) ❌ Can be busy at peak times (Saturday mornings)

Best for: Regular Tesco shoppers who can integrate weekly shops with free top-up charging.

Annual saving (40 shops/year, 7 kWh each = 280 kWh):

• Home charging cost: 280 kWh × 25p = £70
• Tesco charging cost: £0
• Saving: £70/year (plus shopping completed)

2. Sainsbury's (BP Pulse) – 7kW & 50kW Rapid

Network: BP Pulse Charger type: 7kW AC (slow) and 50-75kW DC rapid Locations: 800+ Sainsbury's stores Cost (7kW): 45-49p/kWh Cost (rapid 50kW+): 69-79p/kWh Charging time: 30 mins rapid = 80-120 miles added

How it works:

1. Download BP Pulse app or use contactless
2. Park at designated EV bay
3. Connect cable and pay via app/contactless
4. Rapid charge whilst shopping (30-45 mins)

Typical session (45-min shop, 7kW charger):

• Energy added: 5.25 kWh
• Range added: 15-18 miles
• Cost: 5.25 kWh × 48p = £2.52

Typical session (45-min shop, 50kW rapid):

• Energy added: 35-40 kWh
• Range added: 100-130 miles
• Cost: 37.5 kWh × 74p = £27.75

Pros: ✅ Rapid charging available (50-75kW) ✅ Large network (800+ stores) ✅ Good for emergency top-ups on long journeys ✅ Reliable BP Pulse infrastructure

Cons: ❌ No free charging (all sessions cost) ❌ 7kW charging expensive (45-49p vs 8p off-peak at home) ❌ Rapid charging very expensive (69-79p/kWh) ❌ Not cost-effective for routine charging

Best for: Emergency charging during long journeys when Sainsbury's is conveniently located on route. Not recommended for regular shopping charging (use home charging instead).

3. Lidl (Pod Point) – FREE 22kW Charging

Network: Pod Point (partnership) Charger type: 22kW AC fast chargers Locations: 300+ Lidl stores (expanding rapidly) Cost: FREE whilst shopping (with time restrictions) Charging time: 1 hour at 22kW = ~75 miles added (22 kWh if your EV supports 22kW)

How it works:

1. Download Pod Point app
2. Park at Lidl EV charging bay
3. Connect and start charge via app
4. Shop (typically 20-45 minutes at Lidl)
5. Disconnect before time limit (usually 90 minutes)

Typical session (30-min shop, 22kW charger, EV supports 11kW):

• Energy added: 11 kWh (if EV limits to 11kW)
• Range added: 30-38 miles
• Cost: £0 (FREE)
• Equivalent saving: £2.75 vs home charging

Important: Most UK EVs charge at 11kW maximum on AC, not 22kW. So even with 22kW charger, you'll charge at 11kW (still faster than Tesco's 7kW).

Pros: ✅ Free charging (like Tesco) ✅ Faster charging (22kW vs Tesco's 7kW) ✅ Expanding network (300+ stores) ✅ Quick Lidl shops (20-40 mins) suit short charging sessions

Cons: ❌ Smaller network than Tesco (300 vs 600+ stores) ❌ Not all Lidl stores have chargers yet ❌ 90-minute time limits strictly enforced ❌ Can be very busy (limited bays per store)

Best for: Lidl shoppers who want faster free charging than Tesco. Ideal for shorter shops (20-40 mins).

Annual saving (30 shops/year, 11 kWh each = 330 kWh):

• Home charging cost: 330 kWh × 25p = £82.50
• Lidl charging cost: £0
• Saving: £82.50/year

4. Aldi (GeniePoint & Pod Point) – Mixed Pricing

Network: GeniePoint (some Pod Point) Charger type: 7kW AC and 22kW AC Locations: 200+ Aldi stores Cost: Varies by location:

• Some stores: FREE
• Most stores: 35-49p/kWh Charging time: 30-45 mins typical Aldi shop

How it works:

1. Check Aldi location charging costs (via GeniePoint app)
2. Free stores: charge whilst shopping (similar to Tesco)
3. Paid stores: pay 35-49p/kWh via app

Typical session (40-min shop, 7kW charger, FREE location):

• Energy added: 4.7 kWh
• Range added: 13-16 miles
• Cost: £0 (if free location)

Typical session (40-min shop, 7kW, PAID 45p/kWh):

• Energy added: 4.7 kWh
• Range added: 13-16 miles
• Cost: 4.7 kWh × 45p = £2.12

Pros: ✅ Some locations offer free charging ✅ Competitive paid rates (35-49p) where not free ✅ Growing network

Cons: ❌ Inconsistent pricing (check each location) ❌ Smaller network than Tesco/Sainsbury's ❌ Mix of GeniePoint and Pod Point (need both apps)

Best for: Aldi shoppers who check their local store's pricing. Excellent if your local Aldi offers free charging.

5. Asda (Various Networks) – Limited Availability

Network: Various (no exclusive partnership) Charger type: Mix of 7kW, 22kW, 50kW depending on location Locations: 100-150 Asda stores (smaller rollout) Cost: 40-79p/kWh depending on provider and speed Charging time: Varies by charger type

How it works: Asda doesn't have a unified charging network. Individual stores host different providers:

• Some have BP Pulse rapid chargers (69-79p/kWh)
• Some have Osprey chargers (79p/kWh)
• Some have Pod Point (varies)

Pros: ✅ Some locations have rapid charging

Cons: ❌ No consistent network or pricing ❌ Generally expensive (40-79p/kWh) ❌ Fewer locations than competitors ❌ Not cost-effective for regular charging

Best for: Emergency top-ups only. Not recommended for routine supermarket charging (use Tesco or Lidl instead).

6. Waitrose (Pod Point) – 7kW & 22kW, FREE for Members

Network: Pod Point Charger type: 7kW and 22kW AC Locations: 150+ Waitrose stores Cost: FREE for myWaitrose members whilst shopping Membership: Free to join (myWaitrose card) Charging time: 1-hour shop = 7-22 kWh added

How it works:

1. Join myWaitrose (free membership)
2. Download Pod Point app and link myWaitrose
3. Park at Waitrose EV bay
4. Connect and start charge via app
5. Free charging during shop

Typical session (1-hour shop, 7kW charger):

• Energy added: 7 kWh
• Range added: 20-25 miles
• Cost: £0 (FREE for members)
• Equivalent saving: £1.75 vs home charging

Pros: ✅ Free charging for myWaitrose members (easy to join) ✅ Reliable Pod Point network ✅ Mix of 7kW and 22kW chargers ✅ Less busy than Tesco (smaller customer base)

Cons: ❌ Smaller network (150 vs Tesco's 600+) ❌ Generally more expensive shopping (Waitrose premium) ❌ Requires myWaitrose membership (but free to join)

Best for: Waitrose shoppers who value quality and want free charging. Good for less busy charging bays.

Annual saving (35 shops/year, 7 kWh each = 245 kWh):

• Home charging cost: 245 kWh × 25p = £61.25
• Waitrose charging cost: £0
• Saving: £61.25/year

7. Morrisons (GeniePoint) – 7kW & Rapid, Paid

Network: GeniePoint Charger type: 7kW AC and 50kW DC rapid Locations: 100+ Morrisons stores Cost (7kW): 35-49p/kWh Cost (rapid): 65-79p/kWh Charging time: 30-60 mins shopping

How it works:

1. Download GeniePoint app
2. Park at Morrisons EV bay
3. Connect and pay via app (35-79p/kWh)
4. Charge whilst shopping

Typical session (45-min shop, 7kW charger):

• Energy added: 5.25 kWh
• Range added: 15-18 miles
• Cost: 5.25 kWh × 42p = £2.21

Pros: ✅ Some rapid chargers available ✅ Competitive 7kW rates (35-49p)

Cons: ❌ No free charging (all sessions cost) ❌ Smaller network than Tesco/Sainsbury's ❌ Not cost-effective vs home charging (5× more expensive)

Best for: Emergency top-ups when shopping at Morrisons. Not recommended for regular charging (use home overnight instead).

Supermarket Charging Cost Comparison

Cost per kWh (January 2025)

*myWaitrose membership required (free to join)

Annual Savings Comparison

Scenario: 40 supermarket shops per year, 1-hour duration, 7 kWh added per session (280 kWh/year)

Key insight: Free supermarket charging (Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose) saves £20-£25/year vs home charging. Paid supermarket charging (Sainsbury's, Morrisons) costs £95-£105/year MORE than home charging.

Recommendation: Use free supermarket charging when convenient (Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose). Avoid paid supermarket charging unless emergency (charge at home instead for 80-85% savings).

Strategies for Maximising Supermarket Charging Savings

Strategy 1: Choose Supermarkets with Free Charging

Prioritise in order:

1. Lidl (fastest free charging at 22kW, but smaller network)
2. Tesco (largest network at 600+ locations, free 7kW)
3. Waitrose (free for members, less busy)
4. Aldi (free at select locations—check your local store)

Avoid for routine charging: ❌ Sainsbury's (45-79p/kWh) ❌ Morrisons (35-79p/kWh) ❌ Asda (40-79p/kWh)

Annual impact: Switching from Sainsbury's paid charging (40 shops/year) to Tesco free charging saves £126/year.

Strategy 2: Integrate Charging into Weekly Shop

Weekly shopping routine:

• Saturday morning: Tesco shop (1 hour)
• Charge added: 7 kWh = 20-25 miles free
• Annual total: 52 weeks × 7 kWh = 364 kWh
• Annual saving vs home: £91 vs standard tariff (25p/kWh), £68 vs off-peak (8p/kWh)

Optimisation:

• Choose longer shops (60-90 mins) to maximise free charging
• Avoid quick top-up shops (15-20 mins = minimal charging)
• Plan route to pass free-charging supermarket on regular journeys

Strategy 3: Use Supermarket Rapid Charging for Long Journeys Only

When rapid supermarket charging makes sense: ✅ Long journey where supermarket is conveniently on route ✅ Emergency top-up needed during journey ✅ Motorway services would cost similar (85p/kWh) but require detour

Example (London to Edinburgh, stop at Sainsbury's Northampton):

• Rapid charge 30 mins: 35 kWh added
• Cost: 35 kWh × 74p = £25.90
• Alternative (motorway services): 35 kWh × 85p = £29.75
• Saving: £3.85 (plus cheaper shopping vs motorway services food)

When rapid supermarket charging doesn't make sense: ❌ Routine local journeys (charge at home overnight instead) ❌ Non-urgent situations (wait and charge at home for £21 saving on above example)

Strategy 4: Combine Home and Supermarket Charging

Optimal hybrid strategy:

Home charging (90% of total charging):

• Overnight at 7-9p/kWh off-peak tariff
• Scheduled charging for 00:00-07:00
• Covers routine daily driving (30-60 miles)

Supermarket charging (10% of total charging):

• Free top-ups at Tesco/Lidl/Waitrose during weekly shop
• Adds 20-30 miles per shop
• Reduces home charging requirement

Annual example (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh):

• Home charging: 2,700 kWh × 8p = £216
• Supermarket free: 300 kWh × £0 = £0
• Total cost: £216 (vs £750 standard tariff = £534 saved)

Benefit: Free supermarket charging reduces home electricity bill slightly whilst completing necessary shopping.

Strategy 5: Download All Supermarket Charging Apps

Essential apps for UK supermarket charging:

1. Pod Point (Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose)

   • One app for three supermarket networks
   • Easy payment and session management
   • Charger availability map

2. BP Pulse (Sainsbury's)

   • Required for Sainsbury's charging
   • Also covers BP petrol station chargers
   • Contactless payment option available

3. GeniePoint (Aldi, Morrisons)

   • Covers Aldi and Morrisons networks
   • Also many car parks and public locations

4. Zap-Map (all networks)

   • Find nearest supermarket chargers
   • Compare prices and availability
   • User reviews and photos

Setup time: 30 minutes total to download and configure all apps Benefit: Never arrive at supermarket unsure if charging is available or how much it costs

Strategy 6: Check Charger Availability Before Journey

Problem: Supermarket chargers can be busy, especially Saturday mornings.

Solution: Check live availability via apps before leaving home.

Pod Point app (Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose):

• Shows real-time charger status (available/in use)
• Allows you to navigate to alternative store if busy

Alternative: Call ahead to supermarket and ask if EV bays are available (customer service desk)

Backup plan: Always have 20-30% battery buffer in case supermarket chargers are all occupied

Common Supermarket Charging Questions

Do I have to shop to use supermarket chargers?

Officially: Most supermarkets state charging is "for customers whilst shopping".

In practice: There's no enforcement mechanism checking if you shop. You could charge without shopping.

Ethical consideration: Supermarkets provide free charging to attract shoppers. Using charging without shopping is technically permitted but arguably takes advantage of their goodwill.

Recommendation: Use supermarket charging when genuinely shopping. If you need a free top-up without shopping, consider:

• Public car parks with free charging
• Destination charging at attractions/cafes
• Home charging overnight (cheapest option)

What happens if I exceed the time limit?

Time limits (typical):

• Tesco: 3 hours maximum
• Lidl: 90 minutes maximum
• Waitrose: 3 hours maximum

If you exceed:

• Some locations automatically stop charging (no additional cost)
• Some locations charge overstay fees (£5-£15)
• Very rare for supermarkets to actively enforce (unlike motorway services)

Best practice: Set phone alarm for 15 minutes before limit to ensure you disconnect in time.

Can I charge every day at Tesco for free?

Technically yes, but:

Practical limitations:

• Shopping daily at same supermarket is time-consuming
• 7kW charging is slow (only 20-25 miles per hour)
• Chargers may be busy at peak times
• Store staff may notice if you're clearly not shopping

Better strategy:

• Charge at home overnight (7-9p/kWh off-peak = £200-£270/year for 3,000 kWh)
• Use free supermarket charging 1-2× per week as supplement during genuine shops
• Total cost: ~£200/year (vs £750 standard tariff = £550 saved)

Why home charging is better:

• Charge overnight while sleeping (no time cost)
• Faster (7kW home charger fully charged by morning)
• No dependency on charger availability
• More convenient (plug in at home, done)

What if my EV doesn't support 22kW AC charging?

Most UK EVs charge at 11kW maximum on AC chargers, even when connected to 22kW charger:

11kW charging EVs (most common):

• Tesla Model 3/Y: 11kW
• Volkswagen ID.3/4: 11kW
• Nissan Leaf: 6.6kW (even slower)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 11kW
• Kia EV6: 11kW

22kW charging EVs (rare in UK):

• Renault Zoe: 22kW (one of few)
• Some premium EVs: 22kW optional

Impact at Lidl 22kW chargers:

• If your EV supports 11kW: charges at 11kW (still faster than Tesco's 7kW)
• If your EV supports 6.6kW: charges at 6.6kW (similar to Tesco)
• If your EV supports 22kW: charges at 22kW (fastest)

Recommendation: Lidl's 22kW chargers still benefit most EVs (11kW vs Tesco's 7kW = 57% faster), even if you can't use full 22kW.

Are supermarket chargers reliable?

Reliability by network (based on user reports and industry data):

Pod Point (Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose): ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

• Generally reliable (85-90% uptime)
• Well-maintained hardware
• Quick customer support via app
• Occasional WiFi connectivity issues

BP Pulse (Sainsbury's): ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

• Professional network (90%+ uptime)
• Rapid chargers well-maintained
• Good customer support
• Premium pricing reflects reliability

GeniePoint (Aldi, Morrisons): ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

• More variable reliability (75-85% uptime)
• Some locations poorly maintained
• Slower customer support response

Overall verdict: Supermarket chargers are reasonably reliable (80-90% uptime), comparable to other public charging networks. Always have backup plan (20-30% battery buffer) in case charger is broken or occupied.

Can I charge a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at supermarket chargers?

Yes, supermarket chargers work with plug-in hybrids. However:

Economic considerations:

• PHEVs have small batteries (8-15 kWh typical)
• 1-hour supermarket charge at 7kW adds ~7 kWh
• For a 10 kWh PHEV battery, that's 70% of capacity (20-30 miles electric range)
• Free charging value: £1.75 saved vs home charging

Is it worth it for PHEVs?

Yes, if:

• You're already shopping at Tesco/Lidl/Waitrose
• Free charging is convenient (no extra effort)
• You maximise electric miles (reduce petrol use)

No, if:

• You'd drive out of your way just for free charging (petrol cost negates savings)
• Your PHEV has tiny battery (<8 kWh)
• Home charging is easier (plug in overnight)

PHEV-specific tip: Prioritise free supermarket charging more than pure EV owners, since your battery is small and charges quickly (30-45 mins to full at 7kW).

Real UK Homeowner Supermarket Charging Examples

Case Study 1: Birmingham Family, Tesco Weekly Shopper

Profile:

• Location: Birmingham (semi-detached)
• EV: Nissan Leaf (40kWh battery)
• Weekly shop: Tesco (Saturday mornings, 60-75 mins)
• Home charger: Yes (7kW, Octopus Intelligent Go at 7p/kWh)

Strategy:

• Charges 90% at home overnight (off-peak 7p/kWh)
• Uses Tesco free charging for weekly shop (7 kWh × 52 weeks = 364 kWh/year)
• Never uses paid public charging

Annual costs:

• Total EV usage: 2,800 kWh/year (9,000 miles)
• Home charging: 2,436 kWh × 7p = £170.52
• Tesco free: 364 kWh × £0 = £0
• Total: £170.52/year (vs £700 standard tariff = £529.48 saved)

Quote: "We do our weekly shop at Tesco every Saturday morning. Plugging in for free while we shop adds 20-25 miles, which covers our weekend errands. It's a nice bonus on top of our cheap overnight home charging." – Sarah, Birmingham

Case Study 2: London Commuter, Lidl Supplement

Profile:

• Location: London (flat, no home charger)
• EV: Volkswagen ID.3 (58kWh battery)
• Relies on: Public charging + workplace charging
• Uses: Lidl free charging 2-3× per week

Strategy:

• No home charger (flat living)
• Workplace charging (free, 3 days/week): 1,800 kWh/year
• Lidl free charging (2×/week, 11 kWh each): 1,144 kWh/year
• BP Pulse rapid (emergency only, 2×/month): 200 kWh/year

Annual costs:

• Total EV usage: 3,144 kWh/year (10,000 miles)
• Workplace free: 1,800 kWh × £0 = £0
• Lidl free: 1,144 kWh × £0 = £0
• BP Pulse rapid: 200 kWh × 75p = £150
• Total: £150/year (vs £786 standard tariff = £636 saved)

Quote: "Living in a flat without home charging, I rely on free workplace and Lidl charging. I do two short Lidl shops per week (Monday and Thursday evenings, 30 mins each) and charge for free. Combined with workplace charging, my EV costs £150/year—less than my old petrol car cost in a month." – James, London

Case Study 3: Rural Household, Strategic Tesco Use

Profile:

• Location: Rural Shropshire (detached house)
• EV: Tesla Model 3 (60kWh battery)
• Home charger: Yes (7kW, E.ON Next Drive at 9p/kWh off-peak)
• Drives: 12,000 miles/year

Strategy:

• Charges 85% at home overnight (3,060 kWh/year)
• Uses Tesco free charging for monthly big shop (7 kWh × 12 = 84 kWh/year)
• Uses motorway rapid charging for 3-4 long trips/year (456 kWh/year)

Annual costs:

• Total EV usage: 3,600 kWh/year (12,000 miles)
• Home off-peak: 3,060 kWh × 9p = £275.40
• Tesco free: 84 kWh × £0 = £0
• Motorway rapid: 456 kWh × 85p = £387.60
• Total: £663/year (vs £900 standard tariff = £237 saved)

Quote: "Our monthly big shop at Tesco takes 90 minutes, so I get a decent free charge (7 kWh = 20 miles). It's not a huge saving, but every little helps. Most of our charging is at home overnight for 9p/kWh, which is far cheaper than public charging." – Andrew, Shropshire

Conclusion: Smart Use of Supermarket Charging

UK supermarket EV charging can deliver £70-£130 annual savings for households that shop weekly at free-charging supermarkets (Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose). While this is modest compared to the £400-£600 annual savings from switching to time-of-use home charging tariffs, it's a convenient bonus for routine shopping.

Key takeaways:

✅ Prioritise free charging supermarkets: Tesco (600+ locations), Lidl (300+, faster 22kW), Waitrose (150+, members only) ✅ Avoid paid supermarket charging: Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Asda charge 35-79p/kWh—5-10× more expensive than home overnight charging (7-9p/kWh) ✅ Integrate into weekly routine: Charge during weekly shop (60-90 mins) rather than making special trips just for charging ✅ Use home charging as primary: Supermarket charging supplements home charging, but can't replace it for cost and convenience ✅ Download Pod Point app: Covers Tesco, Lidl, and Waitrose—the three best free networks

Best strategy: Charge 90% at home overnight (7-9p/kWh off-peak), supplement with free supermarket charging during weekly shops (0p/kWh), and avoid paid public charging except emergencies.

Annual cost example (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh):

• Home off-peak (2,700 kWh × 8p): £216
• Tesco free (300 kWh × £0): £0
• Total: £216/year
• vs Standard tariff (£750): Save £534
• vs Motorway charging (£2,550 at 85p/kWh): Save £2,334

Supermarket charging won't revolutionise your EV running costs, but it's a smart, free supplement to cheap home overnight charging—and you need to shop anyway.