Drax Electric Vehicles will operate around 1,200 electric vehicle chargers at more than 250 Aldi stores across the UK under a new partnership with the supermarket chain.
The agreement gives Drax responsibility for a large, established charging network while supporting further expansion across Aldi’s store estate. More than 30 stores have already received new charging facilities, including sites in Diss, Eastbourne, Durham and Yate.
Aldi also plans to install chargers at around 20 new stores each year as it expands its UK network. Every newly built store will offer both fast and rapid charging.
Each new site will include two alternating current fast chargers serving four parking bays, with charging speeds of up to 22 kilowatts. Aldi may also install up to two direct current rapid chargers serving four bays, with speeds of up to 160 kilowatts.
The rollout gives Drax a clear pipeline of additional installations rather than limiting the agreement to the operation of existing assets. It also strengthens the company’s position in the commercial electric vehicle charging market, where reliability, payment access and network management are important factors in winning contracts.
Fast charging will cost 40 pence per kilowatt-hour, while rapid charging will cost 62 pence per kilowatt-hour. Customers will be able to check charger availability, view prices and pay through the Charge Assist app.
New chargers will also accept contactless card payments. No subscription will be required, making the service available to occasional users as well as regular customers.
Drax Group plc (LON:DRX), trading as Drax, is a power generation business. The principal downstream enterprises are based in the UK and include Drax Power Limited, which runs the biomass fuelled Drax power station, near Selby in North Yorkshire.
