Daily EV news · UK · 11 June 2026
EV Charging
Aldi switches 1,200 chargers to Drax, commits to 20 new sites per year
Aldi has moved its 1,200 EV chargers across 250 UK stores to new operator Drax and installed new units at more than 30 locations including Diss, Eastbourne, Durham and Yate. The supermarket will add chargers to 20 new stores annually, each with two AC fast chargers serving four bays up to 22 kW and up to two DC rapid chargers serving four bays up to 160 kW. Pricing is set at 40p per kWh for fast charging and 62p per kWh for rapid charging, with no subscription required.
Why it matters
The Drax contract consolidates a large existing estate under a single operator and locks in a predictable pipeline of 20 sites per year, offering equipment suppliers and installers a steady stream of work. Aldi's standardised hardware specification and competitive tariffs also set a benchmark for grocery retail charging tenders.
BYD demonstrates five minute EV charging technology in UK
BYD has showcased charging technology capable of delivering a five minute charge time for electric vehicles during a UK demonstration. The Chinese manufacturer presented the fast charging capability to the British market, though specific power output figures and deployment timelines were not disclosed in the AM-online report. The demonstration forms part of BYD's broader push into European charging infrastructure alongside its vehicle sales.
Why it matters
Ultra-fast charging under ten minutes addresses a key barrier to fleet electrification and could reshape site design requirements for depot and public charging operators. If BYD deploys this technology commercially in the UK, it may intensify competition among charge point operators and influence procurement specifications for high throughput locations.