Supermarket EV charging is the deployment of EV charge points at grocery supermarkets and hypermarkets—typically in customer car parks—to enable destination charging while shoppers are on-site. It is most commonly delivered using AC EV chargers (often 7.4–22 kW) because typical dwell times (20–90 minutes) suit steady charging without major grid upgrades.
Supermarket charging can be operated by the retailer, a charge point operator (CPO), a property owner, or an investor under a host partnership model.
Why Supermarket EV Charging Matters
Supermarkets are high-frequency destinations with predictable parking behavior, making them a strong fit for scalable charging:
– Drives footfall and increases dwell time, supporting retail revenue
– Improves customer loyalty and brand perception through visible electrification
– Builds a local charging network in residential and suburban areas
– Supports ESG and sustainability commitments with measurable kWh delivery
– Creates an additional revenue stream when charging is monetized
Because supermarkets often have large parking areas, they are also ideal locations for phased expansion.
Typical Supermarket Charging Use Cases
Supermarket EV charging commonly serves:
– Shoppers charging during routine grocery trips
– Staff workplace charging (often with separate access rules)
– Local residents who lack home charging (especially in dense areas)
– Fleet vans or local delivery vehicles (site-dependent)
– Multi-site retail networks rolling out standardized charging formats
Common Charger Types and Power Levels
Most supermarket deployments use AC charging for cost-effective scaling:
– 7.4 kW single-phase for simpler installs and broad vehicle compatibility
– 11 kW three-phase for faster destination charging where available
– 22 kW three-phase for higher turnover and better session value
Some supermarkets also deploy DC chargers (site-dependent), but AC is typically the baseline for broad rollout.
Business Models and Monetization Approaches
Supermarket charging is commonly structured through:
– Pay-as-you-go pricing with per-kWh billing (often the default public model)
– Free charging as a customer benefit (fully sponsored by the retailer)
– Sponsored charging rules (free for loyalty members, time-limited free, or receipt-based)
– Subscription or discounted plans for frequent users (subscription charging plans)
– Revenue share between the host and the CPO under a host revenue model
The best approach depends on site utilization goals, local energy costs, and parking constraints.
Key Design and Operational Considerations
Supermarket sites have specific requirements that affect reliability and user experience:
– Load management is often needed to keep demand within a site limit
– Bay placement must balance visibility with traffic flow and accessibility
– Signage and bay marking reduce ICEing and improve turnover
– Lighting and CCTV can improve safety and reduce misuse
– Maintenance access and spare parts inventory planning support uptime
– Strong connectivity (Ethernet or LTE) supports monitoring and remote management via OCPP
Managing Congestion and Bay Turnover
High-traffic retail sites benefit from clear rules to keep chargers available:
– Use idle fees where appropriate to reduce bay blocking
– Apply time limits or session caps during peak hours
– Provide a mix of power levels (for example 11 kW + 22 kW) to match dwell times
– Separate staff charging from customer bays to protect availability
Scalability and Future-Proofing
Retail charging is often rolled out in phases, so future-proofing matters:
– Reserve spare ways in sub-distribution boards (SDBs)
– Install spare conduit capacity and spare conduit routing for expansion
– Plan for additional metering and reporting needs (including sub-metering and MID metering where required)
– Align expansion with grid constraints and potential substation upgrades
Related Glossary Terms
Destination Charging
Public Charging Monetization
Sponsored Charging
Host Revenue Models
AC EV Charger
Load Management
Load Balancing
OCPP
Per-kWh Billing
Idle Fees
Sub-metering
MID Metering