Foodstuffs, in partnership with ChargeNet, plans to build at least 80 new EV-charging sites at its supermarkets nationwide over the next four years.

“Our customers are telling us they like the convenience that comes from being able to charge their electric vehicles while doing their shopping, ticking two items off the to-do list in a single trip,” said Sandy Botterill, head of environmental and social governance at Foodstuffs NZ.

The charging sites will be powered by Ecotricity, which claims to generate fully renewable energy from wind, hydro, and solar.

“Building more chargers builds confidence in the network for everyday EV drivers, and being able to charge while they’re doing an everyday errand helps to seamlessly integrate EV-charging into their daily lives,” said Danusia Wypych, CEO at ChargeNet.

“By providing more ChargeNet chargers and even more convenient access, we’re helping to get more Kiwi drivers into EVs by building their trust that the EV-charging network can support them.”