Doing the weekly shop and charging your car at the same time is quickly becoming the norm. Supermarkets across the UK have been adding loads of new EV chargers, up by a third in just the last year and a half.
Between January 2024 and June 2025, 1,001 new chargers popped up across 260 supermarket sites, bringing the total to almost 4,000, according to Zapmap and the RAC. That’s about 5% of all public chargers in the UK right now.
Faster charging while you shop
Nearly 600 of those new chargers are rapid or ultra-rapid, which means you can top up while you’re grabbing snacks, doing a food shop, or browsing the middle aisle. Today, around 6 in 10 supermarkets offering charging now have these faster options.
If you don’t have home charging, this is a big win. Supermarkets are easy to find, you’re probably there anyway, and the parking is already built in.
Which supermarkets are leading the way?
Tesco is still number one, with 1,409 chargers across 633 sites. Aldi is growing fastest, nearly tripling its chargers thanks to a deal with Shell Recharge, with 592 now, up from 199. Lidl has 411 chargers across 349 stores. Morrisons has the highest share of stores with chargers at 67%, though it hasn’t added much recently. Sainsbury’s is doubling down with 375+ units as part of its Smart Charge rollout. Even Co-op, M&S, and Iceland are joining in.
Why it matters
One of the biggest myths about EVs is that charging is a hassle. But that’s changing fast. Experts say supermarkets are the perfect fit: convenient, familiar, and good for business. You charge, they get you hanging around longer. Win-win.
The government is also backing 100,000 more charge points over the next few years. Free charging is harder to find now, but apps like Zapmap can still help you track them down.
The bottom line
If you already drive electric, supermarket charging is only getting easier. And if you’re thinking about making the switch, the chances are high you’ll be able to charge while you shop, often on a rapid charger, so you’re ready to go by the time you’ve filled your trolley.
