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How Much Is It To Charge An Electric Car At Tesco Charging Points?

Published on
May 4, 2023

  • Tesco started providing car chargers to their customers in their car parks in 2019. Originally, they had a small network of just 100 chargers but now have nearly 600. 
  • It used to be free to charge at Tesco using their 7kW chargers; however, in November 2022, they increased their tariffs to 28p/kWh to use their 7 kW chargers.
  • They have also increased charging prices for their 22 and 50 kW chargers to 40 and 50p, respectively. 
  • Despite the fact they are no longer free might disgruntle some customers, 28p/kWh is still below what most people will pay to charge at home, as the domestic price cap is around 34p/kWh.
  • To charge with Tesco’s car chargers, you must download the Pod Point app before using them.

Since 2019, Tesco has provided reliable charging points for their customers to charge their electric cars. These charging locations have proved very convenient, allowing drivers to charge while they shop. Tesco’s charging network provider is Pod Point, a major player in the EV industry.

Tesco has over 500 charging locations in the country and thousands of chargers. They provide charging speeds of between 7 - 50 kWh. Their 7 kW chargers used to be available to all customers for free. As of November 2022, everyone had to pay to top up as Tesco raised their charging prices.

If you own an electric car and are looking for a great place to charge, you could do worse than charge at Tesco. If you’re interested in learning more about their network of chargers, locations and prices, this article contains everything you need to know.

What Charging Speeds Do Tesco Provide?

Tesco provides three charging speeds: slow, fast and rapid. To help you understand how fast their chargers go, we’ve calculated how long it would take to charge three of the UK’s most popular EVs from 10 - 80%. 

We’re using the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and the Jaguar I-Pace. 

We’re only calculating 10 - 80% as you should avoid charging to 100% or letting your EV drain to 0%, which can damage your battery condition and shorten its lifespan.

7 kW Chargers

Tesco’s 7 kW chargers are slow chargers that use the Type 2 connector for AC charging. These chargers won’t charge your electric car very fast but are the cheapest chargers Tesco has in their network.

This charger would take 4 hours and 15 minutes to charge the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80%, 7 hours and 30 minutes to charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and 9 hours to charge the Jaguar I-Pace.

22 kW Chargers

Their 22 kW chargers are fast chargers which use the Type 2 connector. Tesco’s 22 kW chargers are slightly cheaper than their 50 kW chargers but more expensive than their 7 kW chargers.

Using Tesco’s 22 kW chargers to charge the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80% will take 4 hours and 15 minutes. If you charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, it will take 4 hours and 46 minutes and 5 hours and 42 minutes to charge the Jaguar I-Pace from 10 - 80%.

50 kW Chargers

Tesco’s fastest chargers are rapid chargers that can charge at 50 kWh. These chargers use the CCS connector to charge. 50 kW is the most common rapid charging speed in the UK. 

A 50 kW charger will charge a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80% in 36 minutes, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range in 1 hour and 3 minutes, and the Jaguar I-Pace in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Are Tesco Charging Points Free?

If you were to turn up to a Tesco charging point between September 2019 - November 2022, you would be able to use their 7 kWh chargers for free. You would still need to pay to use their 22 and 50 kW chargers. Their 50 kW chargers used to cost just 28p/kWh.

When free, charging at Tesco was perhaps the cheapest way to charge your electric car. These low prices incentivised shoppers to shop at Tesco and helped save EV drivers time and money.  

Charging at Tesco’s charging points was relatively easy. You could charge for 15 minutes at their 7 kW chargers without providing any extra information, but to charge beyond 15 minutes or to use their other chargers, you would need to download the Pod Point app, which you would use to access their chargers. 

However, as of the 1st of November 2022, Tesco increased its tariffs. Chargers that were once free now cost 28p/kWh. Tesco is not the only major charging network to increase its prices over the last few months.  

Tesco’s Car Charging Prices - 2023

Charger SpeedPrice To Charge At Tesco’s Chargers (Per kWh)
7 kWh£0.28
22 kWh£0.40
50 kWh£0.50

Tesco’s charging prices have all been raised. To use their 7 kW chargers, you must now pay 28p/kWh; to use their 22 kW chargers, it’s 40p/kWh; and for their 50 kW rapid chargers, 50p/kWh. 

While this is a substantial increase from their prior prices, they are still fairly affordable. Pod Point, Tesco’s charging provider, claims that despite the increased price, “the new tariffs are some of the most competitive in the market and will enable us to continue investing in our network.”

They are still lower priced than most charging networks in the UK, although their price might no longer incentivise some customers to shop at Tesco. 28p/kWh is still cheaper than charging at home, as the domestic price cap is around 34p/kWh. Meaning that using Tesco’s 7 kW chargers might still be the cheapest way to charge despite the price increase. 

Tesco doesn’t offer a special discount to use their chargers if you shop in their store, as you must be a Tesco customer to use them in the first place. 

Be aware that some stores have a parking charge that will make charging more expensive, and most Tesco car parks might give you a fine if you overstay your welcome in their facilities. Most Tesco stores will give you roughly 3 hours to vacate their car parks.

When Did Tesco Start Providing Charging Points?

Tesco started to provide chargers at their locations in 2019 with around 100 chargers and slowly expanded to over 500 by 2022. Tesco launched its charging network with Volkswagen and Pod Point and planned to install around 2,400 charging points across the country. 

In the years since they started providing charging, Tesco claims that they have provided their customers with more than 86 million miles of free EV driving, which Pod Point says has saved around 12,000 tonnes of CO2. 

Which Tesco Stores Have EV Charging?

Tesco plans to expand its charging network to 600 stores by Spring 2023. As of January 2023, they have around 550 stores with chargers on their premises. Most of their charging locations can be found in England, although there are plenty in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. 

If you’re interested in discovering the nearest Tesco charging station, you can visit Pod Point’s website, which provides you with a map of all their Tesco EV chargers and the most recent additions to their Tesco charging network. 

If there are no Tescos near you that provide charging, you can always use apps like Bonnet, which provide drivers with access to thousands of charging points across the company at competitive prices. 

How To Charge At Tesco’s Car Chargers

Where To Find Chargers In Tesco Car Parks

Tesco’s chargers can usually be found in remote sections of the car park far away from the entrance and thus less likely to be used by lazy petrol drivers who might otherwise use the parking spot and stop an EV from charging.

The chargers tend to be close to the Tesco building, so they have easy access to the power generators. 

What Speed Charger Should You Use?

Not all Tesco chargers provide the same speeds, nor do all Tesco stores provide chargers at all different speeds. The most common speed you’ll find at Tescos is 7 kWh, which is slow. They also have faster (and more expensive) chargers of 22 and 50 kWh.

Using the 50 kW charger should give you around 100 miles of charge in the time it takes to do your weekly shop. 

Download Pod Point’s App

To use Tesco’s chargers, you must first download Pod Point’s app. The app is fairly easy to use; all you have to do is log in and select the charger you want to use. 

You can let the app find your nearest charging point using location data or do a manual search. If you’re doing a manual search, look at the socket you’re using, which should have a name above it. The socket name is the name you should search for. 

Ready To Charge

Once you’ve found the chargers, selected the speeds you want to charge at and downloaded the Pod Point app, you’re ready to charge. 

Introducing Bonnet

Tesco has a good network with a decent range of charging speeds. While they are no longer free, they are still a great choice for EV drivers in the UK. They are especially useful if you need to do your weekly shopping and want to charge at the same time. 

The supermarket chain’s transition from free to paid charging is a hindrance for some customers and might make some patrons avoid shopping at Tesco at all and seek cheaper charging elsewhere.

There are many other ways that electric car drivers can access charging at a discounted price, such as by downloading Bonnet.

Bonnet is our app which allows EV drivers to access thousands of chargers across the country. We’ve partnered with some of the best public charging networks in the country to offer our customers a diverse range of charging speeds, prices and locations to ensure they can find the perfect charger that suits their requirements. 

One of the most annoying aspects of public charging is that you need to download a different app to access every public charging network. Downloading too many apps can clutter your phone and drain your battery. You don’t need to litter your phone with unnecessary apps; you just need to download Bonnet, which lets you access thousands of chargers with just one app. 

We have a membership option called Bonnet Boosts, which allows drivers to get up to 15% off all their charging at our partners’ charging points. Bonnet Boosts is the best way to charge if you’re a driver who often finds themselves at public charging stations and is looking for ways to save money. 

You should download Bonnet today if you’re interested in accessing thousands of chargers at a great price.

Is it free to charge an electric car at Tesco?

No. Tesco used to let electric car drivers charge at their 7 kW chargers for free, but no longer (as of November 2022). Instead, you must now pay 28p/kWh to use their 7 kW chargers, 40p/kWh for their 22 kW chargers and 50p/kWh for their 50 kW chargers.

How long can you leave your car charging at Tesco?

Generally, Tesco will start issuing fines if your car stays in Tesco’s car park for more than three hours. Three hours should be enough time to charge your electric car substantially.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at a charging station in the UK?

Prices vary for charging an EV at public stations. Tariffs depend on charger speed and what network you choose to charge from. Some chargers are free, but others can cost as much as £1/kWh. Most of the free chargers in the UK belong to the ChargePlace Scotland network.

Is Lidl EV charging free?

Like Tesco, Lidl’s charging is provided by Pod Point. They charge 40p/kWh at 7 and 22 kW chargers and 50p/kWh at their rapid 50 kW chargers.

Is charging an electric car cheaper than petrol in the UK?

Yes. It is generally around 80% cheaper to charge an electric car than to fill up a petrol car, although the exact price depends on how you’re charging your car. The cheapest way to charge your EV is usually with a home charging station.

February 24, 2023

Since 2019, Tesco has provided reliable charging points for their customers to charge their electric cars. These charging locations have proved very convenient, allowing drivers to charge while they shop. Tesco’s charging network provider is Pod Point, a major player in the EV industry.

Tesco has over 500 charging locations in the country and thousands of chargers. They provide charging speeds of between 7 - 50 kWh. Their 7 kW chargers used to be available to all customers for free. As of November 2022, everyone had to pay to top up as Tesco raised their charging prices.

If you own an electric car and are looking for a great place to charge, you could do worse than charge at Tesco. If you’re interested in learning more about their network of chargers, locations and prices, this article contains everything you need to know.

What Charging Speeds Do Tesco Provide?

Tesco provides three charging speeds: slow, fast and rapid. To help you understand how fast their chargers go, we’ve calculated how long it would take to charge three of the UK’s most popular EVs from 10 - 80%. 

We’re using the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and the Jaguar I-Pace. 

We’re only calculating 10 - 80% as you should avoid charging to 100% or letting your EV drain to 0%, which can damage your battery condition and shorten its lifespan.

7 kW Chargers

Tesco’s 7 kW chargers are slow chargers that use the Type 2 connector for AC charging. These chargers won’t charge your electric car very fast but are the cheapest chargers Tesco has in their network.

This charger would take 4 hours and 15 minutes to charge the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80%, 7 hours and 30 minutes to charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and 9 hours to charge the Jaguar I-Pace.

22 kW Chargers

Their 22 kW chargers are fast chargers which use the Type 2 connector. Tesco’s 22 kW chargers are slightly cheaper than their 50 kW chargers but more expensive than their 7 kW chargers.

Using Tesco’s 22 kW chargers to charge the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80% will take 4 hours and 15 minutes. If you charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, it will take 4 hours and 46 minutes and 5 hours and 42 minutes to charge the Jaguar I-Pace from 10 - 80%.

50 kW Chargers

Tesco’s fastest chargers are rapid chargers that can charge at 50 kWh. These chargers use the CCS connector to charge. 50 kW is the most common rapid charging speed in the UK. 

A 50 kW charger will charge a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80% in 36 minutes, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range in 1 hour and 3 minutes, and the Jaguar I-Pace in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Are Tesco Charging Points Free?

If you were to turn up to a Tesco charging point between September 2019 - November 2022, you would be able to use their 7 kWh chargers for free. You would still need to pay to use their 22 and 50 kW chargers. Their 50 kW chargers used to cost just 28p/kWh.

When free, charging at Tesco was perhaps the cheapest way to charge your electric car. These low prices incentivised shoppers to shop at Tesco and helped save EV drivers time and money.  

Charging at Tesco’s charging points was relatively easy. You could charge for 15 minutes at their 7 kW chargers without providing any extra information, but to charge beyond 15 minutes or to use their other chargers, you would need to download the Pod Point app, which you would use to access their chargers. 

However, as of the 1st of November 2022, Tesco increased its tariffs. Chargers that were once free now cost 28p/kWh. Tesco is not the only major charging network to increase its prices over the last few months.  

Tesco’s Car Charging Prices - 2023

Charger SpeedPrice To Charge At Tesco’s Chargers (Per kWh)
7 kWh£0.28
22 kWh£0.40
50 kWh£0.50

Tesco’s charging prices have all been raised. To use their 7 kW chargers, you must now pay 28p/kWh; to use their 22 kW chargers, it’s 40p/kWh; and for their 50 kW rapid chargers, 50p/kWh. 

While this is a substantial increase from their prior prices, they are still fairly affordable. Pod Point, Tesco’s charging provider, claims that despite the increased price, “the new tariffs are some of the most competitive in the market and will enable us to continue investing in our network.”

They are still lower priced than most charging networks in the UK, although their price might no longer incentivise some customers to shop at Tesco. 28p/kWh is still cheaper than charging at home, as the domestic price cap is around 34p/kWh. Meaning that using Tesco’s 7 kW chargers might still be the cheapest way to charge despite the price increase. 

Tesco doesn’t offer a special discount to use their chargers if you shop in their store, as you must be a Tesco customer to use them in the first place. 

Be aware that some stores have a parking charge that will make charging more expensive, and most Tesco car parks might give you a fine if you overstay your welcome in their facilities. Most Tesco stores will give you roughly 3 hours to vacate their car parks.

When Did Tesco Start Providing Charging Points?

Tesco started to provide chargers at their locations in 2019 with around 100 chargers and slowly expanded to over 500 by 2022. Tesco launched its charging network with Volkswagen and Pod Point and planned to install around 2,400 charging points across the country. 

In the years since they started providing charging, Tesco claims that they have provided their customers with more than 86 million miles of free EV driving, which Pod Point says has saved around 12,000 tonnes of CO2. 

Which Tesco Stores Have EV Charging?

Tesco plans to expand its charging network to 600 stores by Spring 2023. As of January 2023, they have around 550 stores with chargers on their premises. Most of their charging locations can be found in England, although there are plenty in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. 

If you’re interested in discovering the nearest Tesco charging station, you can visit Pod Point’s website, which provides you with a map of all their Tesco EV chargers and the most recent additions to their Tesco charging network. 

If there are no Tescos near you that provide charging, you can always use apps like Bonnet, which provide drivers with access to thousands of charging points across the company at competitive prices. 

How To Charge At Tesco’s Car Chargers

Where To Find Chargers In Tesco Car Parks

Tesco’s chargers can usually be found in remote sections of the car park far away from the entrance and thus less likely to be used by lazy petrol drivers who might otherwise use the parking spot and stop an EV from charging.

The chargers tend to be close to the Tesco building, so they have easy access to the power generators. 

What Speed Charger Should You Use?

Not all Tesco chargers provide the same speeds, nor do all Tesco stores provide chargers at all different speeds. The most common speed you’ll find at Tescos is 7 kWh, which is slow. They also have faster (and more expensive) chargers of 22 and 50 kWh.

Using the 50 kW charger should give you around 100 miles of charge in the time it takes to do your weekly shop. 

Download Pod Point’s App

To use Tesco’s chargers, you must first download Pod Point’s app. The app is fairly easy to use; all you have to do is log in and select the charger you want to use. 

You can let the app find your nearest charging point using location data or do a manual search. If you’re doing a manual search, look at the socket you’re using, which should have a name above it. The socket name is the name you should search for. 

Ready To Charge

Once you’ve found the chargers, selected the speeds you want to charge at and downloaded the Pod Point app, you’re ready to charge. 

Introducing Bonnet

Tesco has a good network with a decent range of charging speeds. While they are no longer free, they are still a great choice for EV drivers in the UK. They are especially useful if you need to do your weekly shopping and want to charge at the same time. 

The supermarket chain’s transition from free to paid charging is a hindrance for some customers and might make some patrons avoid shopping at Tesco at all and seek cheaper charging elsewhere.

There are many other ways that electric car drivers can access charging at a discounted price, such as by downloading Bonnet.

Bonnet is our app which allows EV drivers to access thousands of chargers across the country. We’ve partnered with some of the best public charging networks in the country to offer our customers a diverse range of charging speeds, prices and locations to ensure they can find the perfect charger that suits their requirements. 

One of the most annoying aspects of public charging is that you need to download a different app to access every public charging network. Downloading too many apps can clutter your phone and drain your battery. You don’t need to litter your phone with unnecessary apps; you just need to download Bonnet, which lets you access thousands of chargers with just one app. 

We have a membership option called Bonnet Boosts, which allows drivers to get up to 15% off all their charging at our partners’ charging points. Bonnet Boosts is the best way to charge if you’re a driver who often finds themselves at public charging stations and is looking for ways to save money. 

You should download Bonnet today if you’re interested in accessing thousands of chargers at a great price.

  • Tesco started providing car chargers to their customers in their car parks in 2019. Originally, they had a small network of just 100 chargers but now have nearly 600. 
  • It used to be free to charge at Tesco using their 7kW chargers; however, in November 2022, they increased their tariffs to 28p/kWh to use their 7 kW chargers.
  • They have also increased charging prices for their 22 and 50 kW chargers to 40 and 50p, respectively. 
  • Despite the fact they are no longer free might disgruntle some customers, 28p/kWh is still below what most people will pay to charge at home, as the domestic price cap is around 34p/kWh.
  • To charge with Tesco’s car chargers, you must download the Pod Point app before using them.

Since 2019, Tesco has provided reliable charging points for their customers to charge their electric cars. These charging locations have proved very convenient, allowing drivers to charge while they shop. Tesco’s charging network provider is Pod Point, a major player in the EV industry.

Tesco has over 500 charging locations in the country and thousands of chargers. They provide charging speeds of between 7 - 50 kWh. Their 7 kW chargers used to be available to all customers for free. As of November 2022, everyone had to pay to top up as Tesco raised their charging prices.

If you own an electric car and are looking for a great place to charge, you could do worse than charge at Tesco. If you’re interested in learning more about their network of chargers, locations and prices, this article contains everything you need to know.

What Charging Speeds Do Tesco Provide?

Tesco provides three charging speeds: slow, fast and rapid. To help you understand how fast their chargers go, we’ve calculated how long it would take to charge three of the UK’s most popular EVs from 10 - 80%. 

We’re using the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and the Jaguar I-Pace. 

We’re only calculating 10 - 80% as you should avoid charging to 100% or letting your EV drain to 0%, which can damage your battery condition and shorten its lifespan.

7 kW Chargers

Tesco’s 7 kW chargers are slow chargers that use the Type 2 connector for AC charging. These chargers won’t charge your electric car very fast but are the cheapest chargers Tesco has in their network.

This charger would take 4 hours and 15 minutes to charge the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80%, 7 hours and 30 minutes to charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and 9 hours to charge the Jaguar I-Pace.

22 kW Chargers

Their 22 kW chargers are fast chargers which use the Type 2 connector. Tesco’s 22 kW chargers are slightly cheaper than their 50 kW chargers but more expensive than their 7 kW chargers.

Using Tesco’s 22 kW chargers to charge the 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80% will take 4 hours and 15 minutes. If you charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, it will take 4 hours and 46 minutes and 5 hours and 42 minutes to charge the Jaguar I-Pace from 10 - 80%.

50 kW Chargers

Tesco’s fastest chargers are rapid chargers that can charge at 50 kWh. These chargers use the CCS connector to charge. 50 kW is the most common rapid charging speed in the UK. 

A 50 kW charger will charge a 40 kWh Nissan Leaf from 10 - 80% in 36 minutes, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range in 1 hour and 3 minutes, and the Jaguar I-Pace in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Are Tesco Charging Points Free?

If you were to turn up to a Tesco charging point between September 2019 - November 2022, you would be able to use their 7 kWh chargers for free. You would still need to pay to use their 22 and 50 kW chargers. Their 50 kW chargers used to cost just 28p/kWh.

When free, charging at Tesco was perhaps the cheapest way to charge your electric car. These low prices incentivised shoppers to shop at Tesco and helped save EV drivers time and money.  

Charging at Tesco’s charging points was relatively easy. You could charge for 15 minutes at their 7 kW chargers without providing any extra information, but to charge beyond 15 minutes or to use their other chargers, you would need to download the Pod Point app, which you would use to access their chargers. 

However, as of the 1st of November 2022, Tesco increased its tariffs. Chargers that were once free now cost 28p/kWh. Tesco is not the only major charging network to increase its prices over the last few months.  

Tesco’s Car Charging Prices - 2023

Charger SpeedPrice To Charge At Tesco’s Chargers (Per kWh)
7 kWh£0.28
22 kWh£0.40
50 kWh£0.50

Tesco’s charging prices have all been raised. To use their 7 kW chargers, you must now pay 28p/kWh; to use their 22 kW chargers, it’s 40p/kWh; and for their 50 kW rapid chargers, 50p/kWh. 

While this is a substantial increase from their prior prices, they are still fairly affordable. Pod Point, Tesco’s charging provider, claims that despite the increased price, “the new tariffs are some of the most competitive in the market and will enable us to continue investing in our network.”

They are still lower priced than most charging networks in the UK, although their price might no longer incentivise some customers to shop at Tesco. 28p/kWh is still cheaper than charging at home, as the domestic price cap is around 34p/kWh. Meaning that using Tesco’s 7 kW chargers might still be the cheapest way to charge despite the price increase. 

Tesco doesn’t offer a special discount to use their chargers if you shop in their store, as you must be a Tesco customer to use them in the first place. 

Be aware that some stores have a parking charge that will make charging more expensive, and most Tesco car parks might give you a fine if you overstay your welcome in their facilities. Most Tesco stores will give you roughly 3 hours to vacate their car parks.

When Did Tesco Start Providing Charging Points?

Tesco started to provide chargers at their locations in 2019 with around 100 chargers and slowly expanded to over 500 by 2022. Tesco launched its charging network with Volkswagen and Pod Point and planned to install around 2,400 charging points across the country. 

In the years since they started providing charging, Tesco claims that they have provided their customers with more than 86 million miles of free EV driving, which Pod Point says has saved around 12,000 tonnes of CO2. 

Which Tesco Stores Have EV Charging?

Tesco plans to expand its charging network to 600 stores by Spring 2023. As of January 2023, they have around 550 stores with chargers on their premises. Most of their charging locations can be found in England, although there are plenty in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. 

If you’re interested in discovering the nearest Tesco charging station, you can visit Pod Point’s website, which provides you with a map of all their Tesco EV chargers and the most recent additions to their Tesco charging network. 

If there are no Tescos near you that provide charging, you can always use apps like Bonnet, which provide drivers with access to thousands of charging points across the company at competitive prices. 

How To Charge At Tesco’s Car Chargers

Where To Find Chargers In Tesco Car Parks

Tesco’s chargers can usually be found in remote sections of the car park far away from the entrance and thus less likely to be used by lazy petrol drivers who might otherwise use the parking spot and stop an EV from charging.

The chargers tend to be close to the Tesco building, so they have easy access to the power generators. 

What Speed Charger Should You Use?

Not all Tesco chargers provide the same speeds, nor do all Tesco stores provide chargers at all different speeds. The most common speed you’ll find at Tescos is 7 kWh, which is slow. They also have faster (and more expensive) chargers of 22 and 50 kWh.

Using the 50 kW charger should give you around 100 miles of charge in the time it takes to do your weekly shop. 

Download Pod Point’s App

To use Tesco’s chargers, you must first download Pod Point’s app. The app is fairly easy to use; all you have to do is log in and select the charger you want to use. 

You can let the app find your nearest charging point using location data or do a manual search. If you’re doing a manual search, look at the socket you’re using, which should have a name above it. The socket name is the name you should search for. 

Ready To Charge

Once you’ve found the chargers, selected the speeds you want to charge at and downloaded the Pod Point app, you’re ready to charge. 

Introducing Bonnet

Tesco has a good network with a decent range of charging speeds. While they are no longer free, they are still a great choice for EV drivers in the UK. They are especially useful if you need to do your weekly shopping and want to charge at the same time. 

The supermarket chain’s transition from free to paid charging is a hindrance for some customers and might make some patrons avoid shopping at Tesco at all and seek cheaper charging elsewhere.

There are many other ways that electric car drivers can access charging at a discounted price, such as by downloading Bonnet.

Bonnet is our app which allows EV drivers to access thousands of chargers across the country. We’ve partnered with some of the best public charging networks in the country to offer our customers a diverse range of charging speeds, prices and locations to ensure they can find the perfect charger that suits their requirements. 

One of the most annoying aspects of public charging is that you need to download a different app to access every public charging network. Downloading too many apps can clutter your phone and drain your battery. You don’t need to litter your phone with unnecessary apps; you just need to download Bonnet, which lets you access thousands of chargers with just one app. 

We have a membership option called Bonnet Boosts, which allows drivers to get up to 15% off all their charging at our partners’ charging points. Bonnet Boosts is the best way to charge if you’re a driver who often finds themselves at public charging stations and is looking for ways to save money. 

You should download Bonnet today if you’re interested in accessing thousands of chargers at a great price.

Is it free to charge an electric car at Tesco?

No. Tesco used to let electric car drivers charge at their 7 kW chargers for free, but no longer (as of November 2022). Instead, you must now pay 28p/kWh to use their 7 kW chargers, 40p/kWh for their 22 kW chargers and 50p/kWh for their 50 kW chargers.

How long can you leave your car charging at Tesco?

Generally, Tesco will start issuing fines if your car stays in Tesco’s car park for more than three hours. Three hours should be enough time to charge your electric car substantially.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at a charging station in the UK?

Prices vary for charging an EV at public stations. Tariffs depend on charger speed and what network you choose to charge from. Some chargers are free, but others can cost as much as £1/kWh. Most of the free chargers in the UK belong to the ChargePlace Scotland network.

Is Lidl EV charging free?

Like Tesco, Lidl’s charging is provided by Pod Point. They charge 40p/kWh at 7 and 22 kW chargers and 50p/kWh at their rapid 50 kW chargers.

Is charging an electric car cheaper than petrol in the UK?

Yes. It is generally around 80% cheaper to charge an electric car than to fill up a petrol car, although the exact price depends on how you’re charging your car. The cheapest way to charge your EV is usually with a home charging station.

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