UK-based charge point operator Zest said it will install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at 20 additional Central Co-op locations, expanding its long-term partnership with the British grocery chain. The move follows successful charger deployments at six Central Co-op sites across the Midlands, Lancashire and East Anglia.
Under the partnership, Zest funds, installs and operates the charging infrastructure, typically offering chargers with power outputs between 30 kW and 120 kW. The facilities are designed for Co-op customers to use while shopping. Existing sites include Wirksworth, Shelton Lock, Wildwood, Hambleton, Hethersett, and Thornton-Cleveleys.
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The new rollout will cover both existing and new Central Co-op stores, as well as the group’s fuel stations, though the companies have not disclosed specific locations. Zest described Central Co-op as part of a “growing portfolio” of UK retail partners adopting EV infrastructure.
“Expanding EV charging into retail locations like Central Co-op stores ensures that sustainable transport is accessible where people live, work, and shop,” said Robin Heap, CEO of Zest. “As a B Corp, we share the values of the Co-op movement, and we are making charging more convenient for customers while helping stores play a leading role in the transition to cleaner, more responsible mobility.”
See also: UK Charge Point Operator Zest Partners With Octopus Electroverse
Andy Peake, Central Co-op’s Chief Operating Officer, said the initiative reflects the retailer’s long-term sustainability goals. “At the heart of this announcement is Central Co-op’s commitment to creating a sustainable society for all,” he said. “Working with key partners like Zest to facilitate better access to EV charging moves us further along on our journey to sustainability.”
Zest, which calls itself one of the UK’s fastest-growing charge point operators, has recently expanded its reach through a partnership with Octopus Electroverse, allowing EV drivers to access its charge points through the Electroverse app.
Source: Electrive