French supermarkets expand EV charging networks as fuel sales drop 10% at Coopérative U
By Eve
Major French supermarket chains including Leclerc, Lidl and Carrefour are installing more EV charging stations after fuel sales declined, with Coopérative U reporting a 10% drop since the start of the year due to TotalEnergies capping petrol at €1.99 per litre and diesel at €2.25 per litre. Competition among retailers has driven charging prices down to €0.17 per kWh at Leclerc and €0.18 per kWh for Lidl Plus members, with supermarkets treating EV charging as a loss leader to attract customers. The rollout is part of France's broader shift to electric vehicles.
Why it matters
Supermarket chains entering the charging market as a competitive response to fuel pricing pressures signals a new procurement dynamic where retailers use low margin charging to drive footfall, potentially reshaping site selection and pricing strategies for CPOs. The aggressive pricing at €0.17 to €0.18 per kWh sets a benchmark that could pressure standalone charging networks and influence tender expectations across France.
Source
- Original title
- “French supermarkets invest in more electric car charging points”
- Published
- 28 October 2026
- Updated
- 29 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- EV Charging
- Place
- France
Related news
Solar powered EV charging in Andhra Pradesh still at an early stage despite favourable conditions
A report on Nellore says Andhra Pradesh has abundant sunshine, a growing renewable energy ecosystem and rising interest in electric mobility, but solar powered charging remains nascent. Stations use rooftop or ground mounted solar panels with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to smooth fluctuations, drawing from the grid only when necessary. The article notes that public charging infrastructure in the state remains sporadic despite growing EV sales and strong government backing, and that Convergence Energy Services Ltd. (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL), was the first to deploy an integrated solar powered charging station in India.
Why it matters
Lower electricity costs at solar and BESS equipped sites could let charge point operators pass savings on to drivers, which makes Andhra Pradesh a potential market for integrated solar plus storage charging projects. The patchy public network, particularly for intercity travel, points to unmet demand for developers and funders.
Los Alamos County to open new DC fast charging stations at Mesa Public Library with ribbon cutting on 2 November
Los Alamos County has invited the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony on 2 November marking the opening of new Direct Current (DC) fast charging stations in the Mesa Public Library parking lot. The project was funded in part by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). County Sustainability Manager Angelica V. Gurule described the stations as a step toward expanding public EV charging infrastructure and supporting more sustainable transport in the community.
Why it matters
This is another example of state transport funding supporting municipal DC fast charging at public civic sites, a route that can open opportunities for CPOs and installers working with local authorities. The announcement gives no figures on charger count, power output or funding value, so those details would need to be confirmed directly.
InstaVolt agrees national framework with Whitbread to bring ultra-rapid charging to Premier Inn sites
InstaVolt has agreed a national framework with Whitbread PLC, owner of Premier Inn, to build a pipeline of new ultra-rapid charging at well-located Premier Inn sites across the UK. Premier Inn has more than 845 hotels across the UK and Ireland. Earlier this year InstaVolt agreed to acquire 228 GeniePoint locations from Equans, comprising more than 260 chargers, including more than 100 locations associated with the Whitbread estate, and it plans to upgrade existing charging at Premier Inn sites with ultra-rapid hardware, enhanced grid connections where required and improved signage.
Why it matters
A national framework with the UK's largest hotel brand shows how a CPO can secure a repeatable host-site pipeline rather than negotiating site by site, building on an acquired footprint. Competing operators and landlords should note the pairing of hospitality dwell time with ultra-rapid upgrades of inherited charging assets.