Lidl GB is set to become the first supermarket in Britain to integrate payment for electric vehicle charging (EVC) within its rewards app, Lidl Plus. This latest development will enable customers to pay for their power directly via the app, enhancing their shopping experience.
The transition, currently provided through Pod Point, will start this summer and is expected to be completed across all of Lidl’s 370+ charge points nationwide by the end of the year. This update follows Kantar data revealing a market share high of 8.1%, making Lidl the fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket for the past ten months.
Sustainability has been a core value for Lidl, which began rolling out electric vehicle charging points across its store network in 2017. The company has invested over £15 million into its EVC infrastructure. While new planning applications require the installation of electric vehicle charging where possible, Lidl prioritises rapid charge points, with around 300 rapid chargers across its network. This ensures customers receive a more meaningful and quicker charge while shopping, allowing more vehicles to be charged throughout the day.
Richard Taylor, Chief Development Officer, commented: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Lidl. I’m incredibly proud of the investment that we’ve made into our EV charging infrastructure over the years, going above and beyond the sector to give greater access to rapid charging. Since we opened our first store 30 years ago, Lidl has contributed to a shift in the way that people shop for their groceries, and this is the latest example of how we’re doing just that, so that we can further enhance our customers’ shopping experience.”
Customers will be notified via the Pod Point app when the switch over begins and can access full instructions via the charging terminals. Unlike other models of partnership, Lidl has always owned the charge points at its stores, enabling a more ambitious and customer-centric approach to its EVC infrastructure.
Lidl Plus, part of Lidl’s commitment to providing customers with the best value, launched in 2020 and remains the only loyalty app offered by a discounter. The app features campaigns and promotions that enhance the shopping experience beyond simple discounts.
