Supermarkets Are Becoming Fleet Charging Hubs. Here’s Why That’s Great News
Electric Insights with Brenda Shanahan
By Brenda Shanahan, Director of Sales & Partnerships, ZeroMission
The transition to electric fleets isn’t just about vehicles. It’s about infrastructure. And one of the biggest questions fleet operators ask us is:
“Where will my drivers reliably charge when they’re away from base?”
New research from the RAC and Zapmap offers a promising answer: at your local supermarket.
Over the past 18 months, UK supermarkets have installed 1,001 new EV charge points, bringing the total to almost 4,000 nationwide. More than half of these are rapid or ultra-rapid chargers, which means less waiting, faster turnaround, and greater operational confidence.
For fleets, this development is more than a convenience. It’s a strategic advantage.
Why Supermarket Charging Matters for Fleets
Drivers’ daily routes already include supermarkets.
Whether it’s scheduled stops, breaks, or last-mile drops, supermarkets are natural charging points. Integrating charging into existing routines reduces downtime.Rapid charging cuts turnaround time.
With nearly 60% of supermarket chargers being high-powered, drivers can get back on the road quickly. That’s crucial for fleets where time is money.Public charging supports depot flexibility.
For fleets without large depot charging infrastructure—or those facing grid connection delays, supermarkets provide reliable “top-up” options.Partnership opportunities are emerging.
Imagine fleets partnering with supermarkets to use chargers during off-peak hours, similar to models already trialled with bus depots. This could become a revenue-sharing and efficiency win for both sides.
Leaders in the Space
Aldi has almost tripled its charging network since 2023, reaching nearly 600 units.
Sainsbury’s has invested in its Smart Charge ultra-rapid network, more than doubling its footprint.
Tesco remains the biggest player, with over 1,400 chargers across 633 sites.
Even Iceland has joined the EV charging map for the first time.
For fleets, this means more locations, more reliability, and more confidence that your drivers won’t be left searching for a plug.
The Bigger Picture
Fleets are under pressure to decarbonise quickly, while maintaining service levels and controlling total cost of ownership (TCO).
Supermarket charging networks directly support this by:
Expanding the public charging backbone fleets rely on.
Reducing range anxiety for drivers.
Offering real-world flexibility during the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
This is especially important for mixed-fuel fleets managing EVs alongside diesel, hybrid, hydrogen, or HVO vehicles. Having everyday charging options in predictable locations removes a key barrier to scale.
ZeroMission’s Take
At ZeroMission, we see this as a game-changing moment for fleet modernisation.
Supermarkets are not just adapting to the EV era, they’re helping drive it forward. For fleet operators, that means more strategic options, smoother electrification plans, and fewer operational compromises.
As the UK government targets 100,000 new charge points, supermarket car parks will play a pivotal role in making EVs not just viable, but practical for fleet operations.
Ready to explore how supermarket charging can fit into your fleet strategy?
ZeroMission’s FleetOps360° platform unifies your fleet, charger, and energy data — helping you identify optimal charging strategies, predict costs, and plan for long-term resilience.
