How Long Can I Charge My EV at Tesco?
Tesco is one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, and it also has a growing network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. If you’re an EV owner, you may be wondering how long it will take to charge your car at a Tesco charging station.
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the type of charger, the size of your battery, and the current state of your battery. However, in general, you can expect to charge your EV at a Tesco charging station for anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
If you need to charge your car for longer than 15 minutes, you can use the Pod Point app to pay for additional time. The app will also allow you to reserve a charging station in advance.
How Long Can I Charge My EV at Tesco?
Here is a breakdown of the different types of chargers that Tesco offers, and how long it takes to charge an EV using each type of charger:
- 7kW chargers: These chargers are the most common type of charger at Tesco. They can add about 20 miles of range to your car in 30 minutes.
- 22kW chargers: These chargers are faster than 7kW chargers, and they can add about 50 miles of range to your car in 30 minutes.
- 50kW chargers: These chargers are the fastest type of charger that Tesco offers. They can add about 100 miles of range to your car in 30 minutes.
It’s important to note that the actual charging time may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the current state of your battery and the ambient temperature. If your battery is cold, it will take longer to charge.
Availability of Tesco Charging Stations
If you’re planning to charge your EV at a Tesco charging station, it’s a good idea to check the current availability of chargers before you go. You can do this by using the Tesco EV charging map.
The Tesco EV charging map shows all of the Tesco charging stations in the UK. It also shows the type of charger, the current availability, and the price of charging.
Here are some tips for maximizing your charging time at a Tesco charging station:
- Plan your trip: If you know you’re going to need to charge your car, plan your trip so that you can stop at a Tesco charging station during your journey. This will help you avoid having to wait for a charger to become available.
- Use a fast charger: If you need to charge your car quickly, use a fast charger. Fast chargers can add about 100 miles of range to your car in 30 minutes.
- Check the availability of chargers: Before you go to a Tesco charging station, check the current availability of chargers using the Tesco EV charging map. This will help you avoid wasting time driving to a station that doesn’t have any available chargers.
By following these tips, you can maximize your charging time at a Tesco charging station and get back on the road quickly.
Is EV Charging Free at Tesco?
No, EV charging is not free at Tesco. Tesco used to offer free charging for electric vehicles at its stores, but this ended in November 2022. Now, drivers must pay to use the chargers. The cost of charging varies depending on the speed of the charger. 7kW chargers cost 28p/kWh, 22kW chargers cost 40p/kWh, and 50kW chargers cost 50p/kWh.
There are a few reasons why Tesco decided to stop offering free charging. First, the cost of electricity has increased in recent years. Second, the demand for EV charging has increased, and Tesco was struggling to keep up with the demand. Third, Tesco wanted to make money from EV charging.
The decision to charge for EV charging has been met with mixed reactions. Some drivers are happy to pay for the convenience of charging their cars at Tesco stores. Others are disappointed that they can no longer charge their cars for free.
If you are an electric vehicle driver, you will need to find a different way to charge your car if you do not want to pay for the Tesco chargers. There are many other public charging stations available, and some of them offer free charging. You can find a list of public charging stations near you by visiting the Zap-Map website.
Here are some tips for finding the best deals on EV charging:
- Compare prices between different charging providers.
- Look for discounts and promotions.
- Consider using a charging card or app to save money.
- Charge your car during off-peak hours to save money.
With a little planning, you can find affordable EV charging options that fit your needs.
Which supermarkets offer free EV charging?
As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road continues to grow, so too does the need for charging infrastructure. Supermarkets are increasingly recognizing the importance of providing EV charging facilities for their customers, and many now offer free charging.
Here are some of the supermarkets that offer free EV charging:
- Sainsbury’s has over 100 free EV charging points at its stores across the UK. These chargers are provided by Pod Point and offer a fast charge of up to 22kW.
- Lidl has over 100 free EV charging points at its stores across the UK. These chargers are also provided by Pod Point and offer a fast charge of up to 22kW.
- Aldi has over 50 free EV charging points at its stores across the UK. These chargers are also provided by Pod Point and offer a fast charge of up to 22kW.
In addition to these supermarkets, there are a number of other retailers that offer free EV charging, including:
- Morrisons
- Waitrose
- Asda
It is important to note that the availability of free EV charging at supermarkets can vary from store to store. It is always best to check with the supermarket before you go to see if they have free charging available.
If you are looking for a supermarket with free EV charging, you can use the Zap-Map app or website to find a location near you. Zap-Map is a free app and website that provides information on EV charging points across the UK.
Benefits of free EV charging at supermarkets
There are a number of benefits to free EV charging at supermarkets. For drivers, it provides a convenient and free way to charge their cars while they are shopping. This can be especially helpful for those who do not have access to home charging or who are on long journeys.
For supermarkets, offering free EV charging can attract new customers and encourage existing customers to shop more often. It can also help to improve the supermarket’s environmental credentials.
Conclusion
If you need to charge your car for longer than 15 minutes, you can use the Tesco Pod Point app to pay for additional time. The app will also allow you to reserve a charging station in advance.
It is important to note that the time limits are in place to ensure that everyone has access to the charging stations. If you are using a charger for more than you need, you are preventing someone else from using it.
Here are some tips for using Tesco EV charging stations:
- Plan your trip in advance and make sure that there is a charging station available at your destination.
- If you need to charge your car for more than 15 minutes, use the Pod Point app to pay for additional time.
- Be considerate of other drivers and don’t hog a charging station if you don’t need it.