Tesco customers have been left fuming after the supermarket introduced a new 28p fee for electric cars. Drivers will now have to pay to charge their electric vehicles, something that was previously free.
The supermarket teamed up with Volkswagen and EV charging station provider Pod Point, intending to set up 2,400 charge points. Initially, the 7kW connection was free, in an effort to encourage people to use electric vehicles, but it will now cost 28p per kWh.
Customers who want to charge their vehicles quicker can pay 40p for the 22kW connection, or 50p for 50kW rapid chargers. However, some have been left seething at the changes, according to BirminghamLive.
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Connor tweeted: "@Tesco absolutely disgusting that you (Tesco) are going to charge for electric car charging. I’m never shopping at Tesco again. I’m done!!!!!"
On deal-saving website HotUKDeals, one motorist said: "I was using the free charging as an incentive to shop at Tesco, the only supermarket around my way to offer free charging. Now I'll spread my wings a bit and shop at other places too.
"Home charging is cheaper for me so won't be using the Tesco chargers from now even when I'm there. Was good whilst it lasted."
PodPoint said in a statement: "The new tariffs are some of the most competitive in the market and will enable us to continue investing in our network. It’s hoped that by making these changes customers will only top up when they need to, ensuring that they make way for others once their cars are charged."
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We've provided more than 86 million miles worth of free charging for customers to date, and our new great value tariffs will build on this with some of the most competitive rates in the market. These changes will improve access to chargers for all our customers, and enable continued investment in our charging network across the UK."
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