Morrisons to roll out network of EV rapid chargers at 100 locations Retailer launches project with 50 new GeniePoint chargers at stores around country

Morrisons has announced plans to create a nationwide network of EV rapid charging points at its supermarkets.

The retail chain says its project will create the nation’s largest supermarket network of rapid chargers for electric cars.

This week it unveiled 50 charging points at stores around the country, with a further 50 planned by the end of 2019.

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Morrisons says the 50kW DC chargers from GeniePoint will charge an EV battery six times faster than a standard quick charger, meaning drivers can potentially fully charge their car while they do the weekly shop and even a quick 20-minute visit will be enough to add 100 miles of range.

Andrew Ball, fuel and services manager of Morrisons said: “Customers are beginning to take part in the biggest revolution in car design since the internal combustion engine was first developed. We need to follow them and give them the opportunity to charge while they shop.”

Green energy

The majority of the electricity will come from GeniePoint’s parent company Engie, which buys from zero-carbon energy sources such as hydroelectricity, biomass, bio-gas, wind and solar.

Alex Bamberg, managing director, Engie EV Solutions, said. “Providing convenient, fast charging facilities is essential in ensuring drivers have the confidence to switch to electric vehicles and reduce traffic pollution. Morrisons supermarkets are ideally situated in communities as drivers go about their day to day activities, and will make an important contribution as we build the most reliable rapid charging network nationwide.”

The 50kW chargers are capable of adding 100 miles of range in as little as 20 minutes (Photo: Morrisons)

The Morrisons rapid chargers are being installed around the perimeter of the car parks, away from the store entrances, in an effort to avoid so-called ICE-ing, where drivers of conventionally fuelled cars take up EV charging spaces.

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Access to the chargers will be through the subscription-free GeniePoint app, with drivers charged a flat rate of 30p/kWh.

The news comes after BP Chargemaster announced that it is to install 200 rapid chargers at pubs and restaurants around the UK in a partnership with the Mitchells and Butlers chain.

The number of rapid chargers around the UK has risen by 43 per cent in the last year, according to charging point tracking service Zap-Map, accompanied by a growth in the number of drivers regularly using the fastest charging methods. The length of time they use the chargers for has also increased, reflecting the growing number of EVs with large capacity batteries and the number of drivers undertaking longer journeys.