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Aldi has confirmed it will roll out EV charging infrastructure at around 20 new stores annually across the UK, offering both fast chargers at 40p per kWh and rapid chargers at 62p per kWh. Customers can access the network via the Charge Assist app or contactless payment with no subscription required. The move follows similar expansions by Morrisons and other UK supermarkets as electric vehicle numbers surpass one million on British roads, according to SMMT data.

Why it matters: A steady pipeline of 20 sites per year signals predictable procurement opportunities for charge point operators and equipment suppliers targeting the grocery retail sector. Aldi's dual speed offering and app based payment model set baseline expectations for future supermarket tenders in a market where EV adoption is accelerating.

Aldi UK has installed 1,200 electric vehicle charge points across more than 250 supermarkets and will add chargers to around 20 new stores annually, mixing fast and rapid units. Pricing is set at 40p per kWh for fast charging and 62p per kWh for rapid charging, with payment via the Charge Assist app or contactless card. Managing Director Jonathan Neale said the rollout aims to make sustainable choices more accessible for shoppers seeking affordable and convenient charging.

Why it matters: The 20 sites per year pipeline offers a steady procurement opportunity for charge point operators and installers, while the published tariff structure provides a benchmark for retail forecourt pricing. Aldi's scale and app integration signal growing competition in destination charging, relevant for CPOs evaluating grocery partnerships.

Guardian Money reports that multiple electric vehicle owners have received parking charge notices of £70 after using chargers in private car parks, particularly at UK supermarkets like Aldi. Drivers say signage fails to clarify that charging counts as parking or that chargers are subject to store opening times, with some charge point operators advertising availability when use would breach car park terms.

Why it matters: Charge point operators and site hosts must align operational messaging and enforcement policies to avoid customer penalties. Unclear terms risk undermining driver confidence in public charging infrastructure and complicate site access agreements for CPOs expanding retail partnerships.

Drax has assumed control of the EV charging network operated across Aldi's UK stores, according to DirectorsTalk Interviews. The move positions the power generation company as the operator of charging infrastructure at one of Britain's largest grocery chains. No financial terms or site numbers were disclosed in the announcement.

Why it matters: The deal signals consolidation in retail charging as established energy firms acquire operational control of supermarket networks. For CPOs and installers, it may reshape procurement routes and maintenance contracts at a major grocery estate.

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.

The Ohio government will allocate 51 million dollars from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme to fund 64 new charging locations, with developers contributing an additional 26 million dollars. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with many stations operational by late 2027. Sites will be hosted by operators including Aldi, BP Products North America, Francis Energy Charging, Heartland Charging Service, Love's Travel Stops, Pilot Travel Centers, Sheetz, Tesla and United Dairy Farmers, with each location required to have at least four fast charger units accessible to all EV drivers.

Why it matters: The 77 million dollar combined investment opens procurement opportunities across 64 sites for CPOs and equipment suppliers, with clear technical requirements for multi port fast charging installations. The 2027 delivery timeline gives charge point operators and contractors a defined window to bid for work under federal NEVI standards.