More and more electric vehicles are gaining popularity, and charging points are increasing, as a Private Hire Car (PCO) driver should be able to access the charging points conveniently. Supermarkets now hold the solution to charging your EV. If you are a PCO driver and would like to drive an electric car, then you will be interested in knowing about supermarket charging. We are going to walk you through all that you would like to know so that you can get started here in this book.
Why Charge Your EV at Supermarkets
Supermarkets are a convenient layover charging point for EVs today. Why? Super-duper simple. Supermarkets need to be open longer hours, and somewhere you’ll likely shop anyway. That is why supermarkets are the ideal solution for PCO drivers. You charge your car while you pop in and do some shopping or take a break. That is why supermarket charging is suitable:
Easy to Use: A supermarket is on every corner. Most of them now include electric car charging points.
Save Time: Your car is charged while you shop.
Cost-Effective to Use: Supermarket charging is usually the lowest priced in the area.
How Does Supermarket Charging Work?
It’s simple to charge an electric vehicle at a supermarket. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to how it works.
Step 1: Locate an EV Charging Point Supermarket
Not every store today has an EV charging point within its store, so you will have to find one first. Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s do have charge points inside. Locate the closest store with charge points through apps like Zap-Map or PlugShare.
Step 2: Park and Charge Your Car
If you notice a supermarket with charging bays, drive into a charging bay. The charging bays will typically be near the shop or the quiet side of the car park. Charge your car from a charger after driving your car into a bay. You might be required to scan the QR code on your phone in order to begin charging with some chargers.
Step 3: Charge Your Car for a Fee
Based on the charging station you’ve selected, you’ll have to use a phone app or membership card to start charging. All of the charging stations are incredibly simple to operate. Do what the screen instructs you to do, and the car will charge. Some even allow you to charge using your card or a cell pay app.
Step 4: Allow Your Car to Charge
It will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes to recharge your car in the usual manner. It depends on how long it will take, given how much your car requires to charge and where the charging station is that you just so happen to be. You can go shopping or relax while about recharging your car. There are also cell phone apps pre-installed in charging stations that you can use in trying to catch up with charging your vehicle.
Step 5: Unplug and Go
Once your tank in your EV is full, back up to your car and unplug it from the charger and shop. Supermarkets will also notify you that your car’s tank is full, and you would not have to check it every few minutes.
Advantages of EV Charging at Supermarkets
Charging your EV at malls is so easy in so many aspects, especially for PCO drivers. Let us go through some of the key advantages.
-
Easy Places
Malls are easy places. Malls have a number of places, and wherever you happen to be, you can locate one close by. It provides PCO drivers’ ease of access to charge their vehicles.
-
Save time
Your time is worth it if you are a PCO driver. Refilling on the go while shopping is convenient. You don’t need to wait until your car is full somewhere else; you shop and leave early.
-
Lower Costs
Supermarket outlets are also affordable most of the time compared to other public charging outlets. They also have outlets with no charge for some time. It is affordable and keeps your car in good shape.
-
Cleaner Environment
Electric vehicles are cleaner compared to diesel or petrol vehicles. Charging at supermarket electric vehicle charging outlets is making the environment cleaner. Cleaner motoring has never been easier with supermarket charging.
-
Convenience to Fast Chargers
Some shops have fast charging stations where your vehicle will be filled at the speed of light. It is convenient for you if you are a PCO driver and you feel like hitting the road sooner. You will be filled within 30 minutes.
Types of Chargers Available at Shops
If you charge with a supermarket charger, then you will have multiple chargers. You need to know the type so that you will receive your best rate of charging for your use.
-
Slow Chargers (AC Chargers)
These are normal chargers found in stores. They charge your car very slowly, usually providing you with 3-6 miles of range for every hour. They are okay if you don’t care about wasting too much time, i.e., when you will be shopping and have some errands to take care of.
-
Fast Chargers (DC Chargers)
Fast chargers charge your vehicle quicker, a distance of 12-30 miles per hour being traveled. Fast chargers are perfect for such drivers who want their battery to be charged in the shortest time possible when driving in the city.
-
Fast Chargers
They charge the quickest. They are able to achieve a 100-mile range in approximately 30 minutes. The fast chargers are out in any supermarket, but are increasingly being used more for those who need the quick charge.
PCO Driver Charging Tips in Supermarkets
It is extremely easy to charge your EV at supermarkets, but PCO drivers need to know the following to make it that little bit simpler:
-
Check Before You Go
Not every supermarket has charging points, and thus it is advisable to check in advance. Some supermarkets have an online reference or app by which shops are fitted with chargers. This will spare your time and save you a useless journey.
-
Be Quick
Do not linger too long at the charging station. There will also be other drivers with their cars to charge. Check your car occasionally and move your car from the charger once charged to allow other drivers to use the charger.
-
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
If you can, charge your vehicle off-peak, i.e., early morning or late night. You will have fewer other drivers going to charge using the charging points, and you will hence get in and out quickly.
-
Charge With Charging Apps
There are even apps that you can utilize to locate EV charging spots, like shopping malls. Zap-Map and ChargePoint apps tell you which charging spots are open and where.
-
Compare Prices
The cost of the charge does vary, however. Some of the grocery stores are fleets in the beginning, but that is not always necessarily true. Do check on the day you are going to charge your vehicle.
Conclusion
Supermarket charging for your electric vehicle is the ideal solution for PCO drivers. It’s easy, convenient, and cheap. Supermarkets are adding more points, so it is never more convenient to fill up somewhere. If you take the time to read this guide, you will be ready when the day arrives to charge your car at a supermarket.
Pre-pay, app-based, and shop ahead. Charging your electric vehicle at the malls to go to work and having something green is easy.
Most Common Questions regarding EV Supermarket Charging
-
Is my EV exempt from supermarket charging?
Some of them offer free charging for a limited time, and some of them charge a small fee. It is advisable to ask the supermarket or the charging provider.
-
How long does it take to charge my EV at a supermarket?
That would depend on the charger. Slow charging will take a few hours, but fast charging will take 30 minutes to 2 hours.
-
Can I charge my EV at just any supermarket?
No, not all supermarkets have charging stations. First, identify those who do have charging stations. Apps are for the very reason of finding charging stations.
-
Can I shop as well while my EV is charging?
Yes. You can shop and charge at the same time. That is part of the largest advantage of supermarket charging points.
-
Must I be a membership club shopper in order to utilize supermarket chargers?
There are some stores that will ask you to present them with a membership card or application before charging, while others will permit charging via your bank card or cell phone wallet stored in your phone.
