MFG is planning to end the sale of auto-LPG on its forecourts

MFG is planning to end the sale of auto-LPG on its forecourts

Apr 6, 2022

The Motor Fuel Group (MFG), the largest independent forecourt operator in the UK, has said that supplying auto-LPG is no longer commercially viable. The company plans to remove auto-LPG from all its forecourts by 2024.

MFG had to announce its plans through the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) because of the preliminary investigation by the CMA into the purchase of Morrisons Supermarkets and forecourts by MFG’s US private equity owners.

The CMA reported that “MFG submits that auto-LPG is no longer an important product category for modern petrol station forecourt businesses due to a continued industry-wide decrease in demand. This decrease in demand means that revenues are low and will continue to decline, thereby making any continued investments, including periodic testing of the facilities, commercially unviable. Accordingly, MFG plans to remove auto-LPG from all of its sites between 2022 and 2024.”

MFG intends to replace its auto-LPG facilities with Electric Vehicle rapid charging hubs and other services, such as grocery offerings or car wash facilities. MFG currently has over 200 150kW chargers on its sites and has plans to electrify its network of over 900 forecourts.

The decision by MFG follows Shell’s decision two years ago to end its joint venture with Calor and decommission its LPG refuelling network. At the time, a spokesperson for the joint venture said, “Customer demand for LPG for domestic transportation has declined due to changing customer preferences and the increasing availability of other lower-carbon fuels.”

Over 1,000 sites in the UK still stock auto-LPG, but it only makes up around 0.2% of UK road fuel demand. Estimates of the number of LPG fuelled vehicles on UK roads are around 100,000. The UK government will phase out the sale of new vehicles powered by autogas. No manufacturers sell pure auto-LPG vehicles in the UK, which means the only way to use it is to convert an engine or install an LPG engine to work in a bi-fuel system.

What is the best way to sell your car?

What is the best way to sell your car?

Mar 23, 2022

Sponsored content

Selling your car but don’t know the best way of doing so? We’ve analysed the best and most common ways to sell your, both online and offline. With so many providers out there, it can be a challenge to decide which one to use. So, let’s look at the four main methods of selling a car – and at the pros and cons of each…

Selling your car privately

Selling a car privately can involve anything from putting a car ad in a local newspaper to placing up a note on your dashboard. However, these days, sellers will typically use online platforms that will present their car advert to hundreds of thousands of people.

Despite this, there are no guarantees with this method – and it is usually one of the most time-consuming options for selling. For best results, you will need to craft an advert that will make your ad stand out in a crowded marketplace. If you find that you’re not getting any interest, there are usually options to get you more visibility – though these can be pricey.

When your car ad does get responses, you will need to take time to respond to calls and emails from potential buyers. Taking time out of your work day to do so, and then after work to show them your car – that’s if they show up!

Private sales are a very hands-on method. There’s also no guarantee that the sale will come off. If it does, however, you are more likely to get a better price for your car than with other means of selling.

 

  • Pros: Usually a high price
  • Cons: Time-consuming, no guarantees, paying for extra visibility

Part-exchange your car

This used to be the most common way of selling your existing car in order to trade up to a newer model. Car dealers were happy to take your unwanted car off your hands as long as you were paying for a new one at the same time. This was often seen as a better option than selling your car privately.

However, when you part-exchange a car, the price you will get for it will typically be much lower than you would usually get from a private sale.

As it is up to the dealer’s discretion whether or not to include your old car as partial payment towards a new one, it can be difficult to negotiate a better price.

 

  • Pros: An easy and hassle-free option
  • Cons: A low price that is hard to negotiate

Selling to an instant car-buyer

If you are keen to offload your car and aren’t really worried about the money, you can sell via a car-buying website. This is an easy option. After you’ve received your valuation online, you then need to take the car for an inspection at one of their drop off points.

Your valuation could be on the low side, and when you take the car to the inspection, you may find the price offered is further reduced.

Bodywork scratches and other minor damage will often impact the price at the last minute, especially if it was not previously disclosed online. Therefore, the valuation price will often be different to the price offered following the instant car-buyer’s inspection.

 

  • Pros: Quick sale
  • Cons: Can be a low price, which can be reduced upon inspection

Selling your car with Motorway

A simple way of ensuring that you get a competitive price for your car is using Motorway – a free online service that will put your car in front of thousands of verified dealers, who will compete to give you the best price for your car.   

Simply enter your car’s reg on Motorway’s website and you will be provided with an instant valuation. They’ll then ask you a few easy questions about your car and guide you through the photos you need to take to complete your car profile. It can be done right from your phone – in a matter of minutes.

They will then enter your car into their daily sale, where over 5,000+ dealers compete to buy your car, offering you their best price. You will receive your best offer – and, if you choose to go ahead with the sale, your car will be collected for free by the dealer and the money will be quickly transferred to your bank account.

 

  • Pros: A quick, easy, and free sale; giving you the highest price from a network of verified car dealers
  • Cons: You might make more selling privately

Fuel Duty Cut by 5 Pence Per Litre

Fuel Duty Cut by 5 Pence Per Litre

Mar 23, 2022

The chancellor, Rushi Sunak, announced that fuel duty will be cut by 5ppl at 6 pm on the 23rd March. This fuel cut will reduce the excise duty on road fuels from 57.95ppl to 52.95ppl. This is the first change in fuel duty since March 2011.

This deduction in fuel duty occurs before VAT is applied, so the overall effect of this reduction is 6ppl, with VAT being applied at 20%.

Crude Oil prices hit an eight-year high earlier in March 2022, which in turn saw petrol and diesel prices rise sharply. Crude Oil prices have dropped back to $112 per barrel from $130 in early March; however petrol and diesel prices at the pumps remain high, with the average reported prices of £1.66 and £1.78 respectively.

When will I see the change?

The excise duty takes effect at 6pm on the 23rd March 2022. However, you may not see this at the pumps straight away.

The fuel currently in forecourts around the UK has already had the excise duty paid on it; as such, the forecourts can’t discount the price you will pay straight away without hitting their profit margin. There is also fuel stored within the UK, in fuel storage facilities, that will also have had the duty applied, and so this will also not benefit from the reduced rate.

Only fuel that hasn’t had the duty applied will be able to take advantage of this reduction straight away, so depending on where you are within the UK will depend on when you are likely to see these reductions.

This is likely to lead to more widespread pricing at forecourts, as current stock levels within the supply chain will significantly affect the price at the pump. This is on top of a volatile market that has already seen the spread of pricing at forecourts widen.

The chancellor, Rushi Sunak, announced that fuel duty will be cut by 5ppl at 6pm on the 23rd March. This fuel cut will reduce the excise duty on road fuels from 57.95ppl to 52.95ppl. This is the first change in fuel duty since March 2011. This deduction in fuel duty occurs before VAT is applied, so the overall effect of this reduction is 6ppl, with VAT being applied at 20%.

Car Parking Fines Set to Change

Car Parking Fines Set to Change

Mar 23, 2022

Under a new code of practice introduced in February by the UK Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the maximum parking fine will be reduced from £100 to £50 for England and Wales. In some instances, serious breaches will face a maximum charge of £70, and early payment of the fine will reduce the penalty to £25 rather than the £50 early payment in force at present.

According to Levelling Up Minister Neil O’Brien, “Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.”

In addition to reducing fines, private car parks will also have to display prices more clearly, use a fairer appeal system and give drivers a 10 minute grace period for lateness.

Changes Welcomed by Motoring Organisations

The AA’s President Edmund King welcomed the changes. He said, For too long, those caught by private parking firms simply pay the charge to get rid of it. Thankfully, those days are numbered…We are also pleased that honest mistakes, like mistyping the car registration into the machine, will now be automatically cancelled.”

According to the RAC Foundation, these changes follow a 31 fold increase in the number of penalty notices issued in the 13 years to 2019-20. These increases have been partly attributed to a ban on wheel clamping and the improved technology of number plate recognition cameras. However, more sinister explanations like misleading signage and predatory practices are also offered.

The RAC had called on the Government and MPs to act after being contacted by drivers who questioned the behaviour of some of the private parking companies.

Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy for the RAC, praised the changes and the impact it would have on drivers across the UK He said: “This will undoubtedly improve the experiences for drivers and create a much more level playing field, reducing hassle and stress while at the same time forcing rogue operators to clean up their acts.

Car Parking Fines Set to Change Under a new code of practice introduced in February by the UK Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the maximum parking fine will be reduced from £100 to £50 for England and Wales. In some instances, serious breaches will face a maximum charge of £70, and early payment of the fine will reduce the penalty to £25 rather than the £50 early payment in force at present.

Warnings of Unintended Consequences

The British Parking Association (BPA) Chief Executive Andrew Pester, was concerned about the changes. He said, “We call on the government to urgently reconsider its proposals given the unintended consequences for our sector, landowners, and motorists.

“We welcome the Parking (Code of Practice) Act and measures to introduce a single code, standards-setting body, and an independent appeals service. However, for this package of measures to be sustainable, there needs to be an effective deterrent to encourage compliance with parking rules and deter anti-social parking. Without effective parking management, places would become congested and inaccessible.”

While the BPA is deeply concerned by the unintended consequences for motorists, landowners, and the parking sector, it is unlikely that motorists will do anything other than welcome these changes, especially when other motoring costs are increasing in such a dramatic way.

Service Issues with PetrolPrices Mobile App

Mar 9, 2022

Service Issues with PetrolPrices Mobile App

Due to the current increase in fuel prices, we have been experiencing unprecedented numbers of people using the PetrolPrices mobile app, web app, and website.

Several times over the last couple of weeks, the mobile app, in particular, has struggled with the level of demand and has not been available to users. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.

We have resolved capacity issues and continue to monitor performance. 

If you experience problems with the mobile app, please try the following steps:

  • Use our web version which can be used on any desktop, tablet, or mobile via an internet browser. You can log in to use that for free just like the app here.

Thank you once again for your patience right now.

 

 

The cost of car insurance fell by an average of £80 year-on-year

The cost of car insurance fell by an average of £80 year-on-year

Jan 18, 2022

According to data from Compare the Market, the average car insurance premiums for the fourth quarter of 2021 fell by over 11% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. The key findings, detailed below, also showed that younger drivers could benefit the most by shopping around for their car insurance.

The key findings from data on car insurance premiums from Compare the Market are summarised below:

  • The cost of car insurance fell by an average of £80 year-on-year in Q4 (Sep-Nov) to £640 – the cheapest average price for the three-month period since 2014.
  • The cheapest premium typically available dropped to £537 – so drivers could save an average of £102 by switching to a better deal instead of auto-renewing with their existing provider.
  • Young motorists could benefit from the biggest savings by switching car insurance. The average premium for drivers aged under 25 stands at £1,205 (September – November 21). However, if young drivers shop around for the cheapest deal when their policies come up for renewal, they could typically save £298 by switching.

Time

Average Premium

Cheapest quoted premium

Price Difference

Sep – Nov 21

£640

£537

£102

Sep – Nov 20

£721

£606

£114

Drivers can use comparethemarket.com’s premium tool to check if they are paying too much for their insurance based on their age, location, and the value of their car.

According to data from Compare the Market, the average car insurance premiums for the fourth quarter of 2021 fell by over 11% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. The key findings, detailed below, also showed that younger drivers could benefit the most by shopping around for their car insurance.
‘Crash for cash’ scams on the rise, Insurance Fraud Bureau claims

‘Crash for cash’ scams on the rise, Insurance Fraud Bureau claims

May 11, 2021

According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), 170,000 claims linked to potential ‘crash for cash’ scams were recorded last year.

‘Crash for cash’ scams are orchestrated by involved drivers or pedestrians who plan accidents to catch out innocent motorists on the road. The perpetrators then make injury claims and file for fake injury compensation.

New variants of the scam are frequently emerging, ranging from dangerous collisions caused by fraudsters to fabricated papers or vehicle damage carried out by the scammers themselves.

Motorists have also been warned about the rise in pedestrian scammers, with increasing numbers of pedestrians throwing themselves into slow-moving traffic in the hopes of pinning the blame on innocent drivers.

Due to the number of suspected ‘crash for cash’ claims recorded per year, the accumulation results in claims worth millions of pounds, as well as an increase in insurance costs for innocent parties.

A 2019 estimation suggests that ‘crash for cash’ scams cost insurers around £340million per year.

In commenting on the criminal gangs involved in perpetrating these ‘crash for cash’ crimes, James Dalton, director of general insurance policies at Association of British Insurers (ABI), said:

‘These criminal gangs are often highly organised and put lives at risk.

‘The amounts that they fraudulently claim can be huge and can impact on the motor premiums paid by honest motorists.’

The ABI also gave motorists an insight into the various ways in which scammers are orchestrating these accidents for maximum effect:

‘The criminals cause the accidents in a number of ways, including disabling their brake lights to cause the car behind to run into them; slamming on the brakes for no obvious reason, flashing their lights at a junction to let you out, then crashing into you deliberately; or working in conjunction with other drivers in front of them.’

Unfortunately, the ABI also suggests that it is vulnerable road users who are most at risk of being caught up in one of these dangerous scams:

‘Crash for cash fraudsters often target vulnerable road users, who are under time pressure or do not want to cause any trouble.’ However, ‘ultimately, fraudsters harm all law-abiding motorists.’

Victim of a ‘crash for cash’ scam, Freddie Lovejoy commented on his experience after he was forced into a collision on the A1:

‘You never expect a crime like crash for cash to happen until it does, and I would strongly recommend drivers read up about it,’ he warned.

‘There can be physical and mental impacts when involved in a car accident, and to think criminals do it on purpose is scary.’

‘Crash for cash’ scams on the rise, Insurance Fraud Bureau claims

[Image Source: Shutterstock, May 2021]

‘Crash for cash’ prevalent in Birmingham and Bradford

A recent study conducted by the Insurance Fraud Bureau has revealed 30 postcodes in which ‘crash for cash’ scams are most prevalent, with Birmingham and Bradford coming out on top.

Other popular hotspots include Walsall, Blackburn, Romford, Manchester, Luton and Leeds.

IFB Director, Ben Fletcher, commented: ‘The IFB’s hotspots analysis is a stark reminder that although great strides have been taken in tackling the problem, these car crash scams are all too common.

‘As traffic levels return to normal following the national lockdown, crash for cash fraudsters may look to make up for lost time.

‘It is hoped that by shining a spotlight on the issue, we encourage road users to be alert and report any suspicious activity to the IFB’s Cheatline.’

With further rises in ‘crash for cash’ scams expected as restrictions lift and roads become busier, the ABI has released updated guidance for what to look out for on the roads in the event that motorists believe they may be being targeted:

  • Warning signs, i.e. cars travelling unusually slowly or slowing down quickly multiple times
  • Suspicious activity after the accident, i.e. an unusually calm driver with pre-written insurance details or unexplained injuries

 The ABI also suggests motorists should ‘always maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicles in front of you’ to make you a less easy target and, in the event of being involved in an accident, ‘take notes of all relevant information including the driver, passengers and any other circumstances and take photos of the scene if it is safe to do so.’

If you suspect you may have been targeted, call IFB’s Cheatline on 0800 422 042.

 Have you been involved in a suspected ‘crash for cash’ accident? Are you concerned that you may be targeted due to the rise in such crimes?

Let us know in the comments.

Drivers think electric vehicles are too expensive, study reveals

Drivers think electric vehicles are too expensive, study reveals

May 4, 2021

A recent study conducted by the AA has revealed that a large percentage of drivers still believe electric vehicles are too expensive, putting them off making the switch.

The study asked over 15,500 drivers to give their opinion on electric vehicles, with a colossal 81% stating that they thought an electric vehicle would be ‘too expensive’ for them to buy. Many were also unaware of the government support available for drivers looking to purchase an electric vehicle in the form of a Plug-In Car Grant (PICG).

The grant scheme knocks £2,500 off the original price of an electric vehicle, as long as the listed price is £35,000 or below. The grant previously stood at £3,000 but has recently dropped to reflect the current economic situation.

Despite government efforts to push this scheme, 63% of drivers asked in the AA study claimed they had ‘never heard’ of the Plug-In Car Grant at all.

The AA suggests this could be because dealerships take the grant into account and automatically remove it from the listed price, leaving drivers to assume that this is the total cost. However, this has meant that the incentive purpose of the grant is failing to have an effect on those considering a switch to electric vehicle.

The AA believes that the lack in uptake of electric vehicles comes down to a lack of education. Drivers assume electric vehicles are expensive and aren’t actively told otherwise, so, therefore, continue to put off changing their vehicle. It also picks up on the fact that drivers have been used to petrol and diesel vehicles for so long that a change could feel daunting.

Edmund King, AA president, says:

‘After more than a century of the combustion engine leading the charge, it is not surprising that some drivers are only just catching up with all things electric.’

He also alluded to a new scheme that has recently been put into place to serve the purpose of electric vehicle ‘myth-busting.’ The scheme involves a partnership between the AA, electric vehicle review site Electrifying.com and transport minister Rachel Maclean. The scheme will play a part in educating motorists on the topic of electric vehicles, allowing them to make an informed decision when it comes to their own vehicle.

‘We are here to help petrol heads become electric heads,’ says Mr King. ‘We are delighted to join with Electrifying.com and the government to bust some of these myths.

‘The AA is determined to give power and support to all EV drivers and potential EV drivers. As the number one recovery company for EV drivers with more trained EV capable patrols than anyone else, we are here to help. The automotive future is exciting, and we will probably see more change in the next ten years than we have in the last fifty.’

Drivers think electric vehicles are too expensive, study reveals

[Image Source: Shutterstock, May 2021]

Electric vehicle pricing isn’t the only deterrent for motorists

While the perceived high price of electric vehicles may be the main deterrent to those considering an electric vehicle switch, other factors are also at play.

The same AA study confirmed that motorists had limited knowledge of electric vehicle charge points, how these work and the government provided support in place to quell these concerns.

The study revealed that 50% of those asked were unaware of the Electric Vehicle Home Charging Scheme. This scheme covers up to 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing a home charging point, with £350 being available to each household.

There were also concerns raised about the capabilities of electric vehicles within the research. For example, a concerning 77% of motorists believe that a fully charged electric vehicle will be unable to travel as far as petrol or diesel vehicles with a full tank.

To add to this, 59% of drivers think that having to charge an electric vehicle is inconvenient with charge times being too long, while 56% revealed that they were concerned about the reliability of the UK’s charging infrastructure.

To conclude the study, 56% of drivers stated that they would be ‘unwilling’ to swap their petrol or diesel car for an electric vehicle due to feeling ‘less confident’ about driving an EV.

It seems that without a ramped up electric vehicle education scheme, these statistics could put the government’s plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 in jeopardy.

Are you concerned about the high prices of electric vehicles? Do you share the same concerns as those revealed in the AA study?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

New E10 fuel could cause catastrophic damage to classic cars

New E10 fuel could cause catastrophic damage to classic cars

Apr 27, 2021

From September, filling stations will switch to E10 petrol – a greener alternative in line with the government’s plan to cut emissions. However, motorists are being warned that E10 is incompatible with some vehicles, including classic cars.

It is expected that the introduction of E10 petrol on UK roads will serve to reduce transport CO2 emissions by up to 750,000 tonnes per year. Still, there is growing concern over the number of motorists who will be excluded from this new scheme due to the incompatibility of their vehicles.

E10 has the potential to corrode brass, copper, lead, zinc, rubber, plastic and fibreglass, all of which are commonly found in older vehicles. And it’s not just classic cars at risk either.

Studies show that even vehicles built in the early 2000s may be negatively affected by E10. These drivers have been warned against using E10 to fill up their vehicles until it has been confirmed that it is safe to do so.

Instead, motorists with older vehicles or classic or cherished cars will need to use the more expensive super unleaded petrol, as this will be the only maintained source of E5. Its price currently stands at 136.2p-a-litre, 14p more than standard petrol.

It is thought that this will have the most significant impact on lower-income drivers who may not be able to afford to replace their older model vehicle. Instead, they will have to fork out up to £7.50 more to fill up their tank with E5.

However, AA president Edmund King has suggested the switch to E10 will be more costly for all motorists, not just those with older vehicles:

‘Introducing E10 will add to fuel costs paid by motorists. Moving from E5 to E10 is estimated to reduce pump price petrol costs by 0.2 pence per litre. However, as the energy content of the fuel will also decrease, motorists will have to buy more litres of fuel. Overall fuel costs for petrol cars are therefore estimated to increase by 1.6% as a result of moving from E5 to E10.’

Simon Williams, spokesman for the RAC, also commented:

‘The switch to E10 petrol is clearly good news for the environment and will not affect the vast majority of the UK’s 33 million car drivers although some may see the number of miles they get from a tank go down as research suggests E10 is potentially slightly less efficient.’

Despite the environmental positives E10 will provide, Edmund King suggests that the increased prices and incompatibility with some vehicles has the potential to ‘rub many drivers up the wrong way.’

New E10 fuel could cause catastrophic damage to classic cars

[Image Source: Shutterstock, April 2021]

Will your vehicle be compatible with E10?

According to research thus far, the following vehicles may be incompatible with E10:

  • Classic and cherished vehicles
  • Older vehicles, particularly those built before 2000
  • Mopeds with an engine size of 50cc or under

Because of this, the Department for Transport is suggesting motorists use their new E10 Vehicle Compatibility Checker before September to avoid potential damage to their cars.

An investigation conducted by Hagerty UK – representatives of the classic car community -warns that ‘the introduction of E10 is the most significant threat to old cars since the switch from leaded to unleaded fuel.’

Unfortunately, however, the petrol retailers Association suggest that it will be up to older car owners to make modifications to their vehicle if they wish to use E10 petrol, rather than the more expensive super unleaded alternative:

‘You’ve either got to use fuel with no ethanol or change the materials that don’t like it. If you are in any doubt about your rubber fuel lines, change them. Get rid of your fibreglass petrol tank and install an aluminium one. The other thing ethanol really doesn’t like is solder. If you are running a soldered float in your carburettor, then think about carrying a spare – they’re generally quite easy to change,’ says Guy Lachlan, Managing Director of Classic Oils.

With potential modifications or increased fuel prices in mind, Hagerty UK has said that they ‘call on the Government and Petrol Retailers Association to accelerate information campaigns for drivers and riders. There may be extensive mechanical modifications required by some models, which can be a costly exercise – during an already challenging economic environment.’

Do the environmental benefits of E10 outweigh the potential risks to classic cars? Are you concerned that your vehicle will be incompatible with E10 petrol?

Let us know in the comments.

Supermarket giant leads the way for electric vehicle charge points

Supermarket giant leads the way for electric vehicle charge points

Apr 21, 2021

Electric vehicle charge points have been installed at over 600 Tesco stores by the UK’s largest free electric car charging network, Pod Point.

The charge points have provided users with over 10 million miles of carbon-neutral motoring, studies reveal, and are working as part of the government’s ‘build back greener’ scheme, designed to cut carbon emissions.

Tesco’s partnership with Volkswagen and Pod Point has recently resulted in providing its 500,000th free top-up, a colossal achievement that has been welcomed by transport secretary, Grant Shapps:

‘As we accelerate towards a cleaner and greener transport future, it’s great to see one of Britain’s most iconic household names leading the way with electric vehicle charge points.

‘In the time it takes to pick up the groceries, drivers up and down the country can now quickly and easily charge their cars, and with £2.5bn of government support to encourage their take-up, there has never been a better time to switch to an EV.’

Further research into the effects of the partnership also reveals that the scheme has served to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2,120 tonnes. James Robinson for the Mail Online suggests that this is ‘the same as or more than 2,770 acres of forest will manage in a year.’

Clearly, this is a huge step forwards for the transport industry and shows the extent of their efforts to do their part to cut carbon emissions. Director of Volkswagen, Andrew Savvas, commented:

‘Our partnership with Tesco and Pod Point emphasises our commitment to carbon-neutral mobility for all, and we’re delighted to have reached this milestone – helping owners of all-electric car brands top up with free renewable energy while they’re doing their grocery shop.’

Supermarket giant leads the way for electric vehicle charge points

[Image Source: Shutterstock, April 2021]

Tesco’s busiest electric vehicle charge points

While over 600 Tesco stores now have free charge points, several have proven to be the busiest, indicating a higher up-take of electric vehicles in these areas. The top 5 busiest Tesco charge points were located in Slough, Stourbridge, Crawley, Altrincham and Bromley by Bow. These were closely followed by other areas such as Watford, Orpington and Hampshire.

It is clear that electric vehicle owners in locations up and down the country are making the most of these free charge points.

Chief operating officer at Tesco, Tony Hodgett, commented on the overall purpose of the partnership:

‘We are committed to reducing carbon emissions in all our operations and aim to be carbon neutral in the UK by 2035.

‘As part of this, we want to encourage our customers to play their part with the rollout of free-to-use EV chargers to 600 of our stores.

‘Providing customers with charging points offers them a sustainable choice, and giving them the opportunity to charge their car for free while they shop is a little help to make this easier.’

While Tesco’s partnership with Volkswagen and Pod Point is proving to be a positive contributor to cutting emissions, experts believe that charge point rollout is not in keeping with increased demand.

In fact, What Car? editorial director, Jim Holder, suggests that the number of charge point devices available needs to be at least 10- or 20-times that the current levels to cope with frequently increasing demand.

A report conducted by the Policy Exchange think-tank reveals that the number of public charge points currently stands at 35,000. They suggest that this will need to increase to 400,000 by 2030 to keep up with demand, especially when considering electric vehicle numbers in the UK currently stand at 108,205. This is already an increase of 185 per cent compared to 2019, highlighting the rate at which demand for charge points will accelerate in the coming years.

Despite this challenging statistic, however, Tesco’s partnership with Pod Point is leading the way for the challenge to be met:

‘The partnership is making great strides towards our goal of delivering the nation’s largest retail EV charging network – one that is reliable, accessible, secure and free, making it even easier for drivers to choose electric and accelerate adoption,’ says Pod Point Founder and CEO, Erik Fairbairn.

The UK has a legal target to reduce greenhouse gases to ‘net zero’ by 2050, and it seems that partnerships such as these will pave the way for that goal to be met.

Have you charged your electric vehicle at a Tesco charge point recently? Will Tesco’s partnership with Pod Point encourage you to make the switch to an electric vehicle?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.