Lidl Ireland announces commitment to biggest electric vehicle network in retail sector

Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland announces that it will become the first major retailer in Ireland to introduce Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers in all new build stores with EV Chargers added to the new store building specification.  As a result, all stores currently in build will have chargers included. This announcement means that Lidl will provide the biggest network of EV Chargers in the retail sector with Lidl’s 1.5 million customers free to charge their electric vehicles  - free of charge -whilst they shop.

The average number of hours spent grocery shopping[1] equates to the number of hours required to charge an EV for the average annual mileage[2].  With this new initiative, Lidl is opening up the opportunity for customers to get all their energy requirements to power an EV whilst they do their weekly shop.

The move is part of Lidl’s Renewable Energy Programme and part of Lidl’s ‘A Better Tomorrow’ Sustainability strategy, and means that Lidl will have a network of 40 free EV charging facilities available for customers in 20 stores across Ireland by the end of the year (L- Or financial year?). 

The existing Lidl stores fitted with 2 EV Chargers per store are Rathfarnham; Drogheda and Swords.

The 10 existing Lidl stores that will be fitted with 2 EV Chargers per store are Wilton; Virginia; Cabra; Tallaght; Glenageary; East Wall; Gorey; Magherafelt; Lurgan and Andersonstown.

The 7 new build Lidl stores that will be fitted with 2 EV Chargers per store are Sligo; Fortunestown; Nenagh; Childers Road; Belgard; Birr and Antrim.

Announcing the commitment to the Electric Vehicle Chargers at Lidls across Ireland, Alan Barry, Director of Property and Central Services, Lidl Ireland, said:

“At Lidl, we are delighted to be the first retailer to champion Electric Vehicles in Ireland by providing 40 free charging points for customers across the store network by the end of the year.  We want to make sure that there are charging locations for the growing number of Electric Vehicle users so we are introducing electric vehicle chargers in all new builds and investing over €150,000 in our Electric Vehicle Chargers programme. 

Electric vehicles are indispensable in addressing the major challenges of improving air quality and curbing the use of fossil fuels. With 1.5 million customers every week, we hope that the  expansion of the network of public charge points will make Electric vehicles more attractive to customers  whilst further enhancing our customer experience.

The EV charging point in our Drogheda store, for example, provides 100kms of free driving range per charge which equates to 4000kms a week.

We recognise that we have a responsibility to build a successful, sustainable future for every community that we serve and are good stewards of the environment with the largest network of EV Chargers across the retail sector.”

Transport accounts for one third of Ireland’s energy requirement and energy related CO2 emissions with electric vehicles offering a more sustainable transport solution.[i] The National climate-change-mitigation plan aims to increase the number of EVs on Irish roads to 500,000 by 2030. The SEAI and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment expect sales will jump over the next few years, as more manufacturers introduce mass-market models.

Welcoming Lidl’s commitment to introduce EV Chargers, Jim Gannon CEO, Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, said:“With the vehicle and home charging grants available from SEAI it is becoming increasingly appealing for motorists to consider the switch to driving electric. SEAI welcomes Lidl’s commitment to supporting sustainable transport. The number of electric vehicles on Ireland’s roads are growing rapidly and, with this increase, all additions to the electric vehicle charging infrastructure are very welcome. While we recognise that the majority of charging may take place at home, initiatives such as this from Lidl will help to provide confidence in the charging network and ensure that there are sufficient charging locations available for a growing number of EV users.” 

[1] 117 hours on an annual basis; 2 hours and fifteen minutes per week

[2] 10,000 kms

[i] Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland website