Central Co-op appoints Zest to provide EV charging

The Central Co-op has engaged Zest to provide electric vehicle charging facilities across stores in the Midlands, Lancashire and East Anglia.

EV charging is now live at six Central Co-op sites: Wirksworth, Shelton Lock, Wildwood, Hambleton, Hethersett Local Centre and Thornton?Cleveleys.

The chargers, which are rated at between 30 kW to 120 kW, offer customers the ability to top up while they shop.

The partnership will see Zest deliver charging facilities across a mix of new and existing stores, as well as at selected petrol stations. Some 20 stores are in the pipeline.

Under the multi-year agreement, Zest will fund, deploy and operate the charging infrastructure.

Andy Peake, Central Co-op chief operating officer, said: “At the heart of this announcement is Central Co-op’s commitment to creating a sustainable society for all. As a member-owned co-operative society, we’re focused on longevity, prioritising the needs of our colleagues, Members, and the communities we serve, as well as our planet.

“We have ambitious goals to build on our longstanding Carbon Neutral commitments and aim to be 100% green energy self-sufficient by 2030 and net zero by 2040. Working with key partners like Zest to facilitate better access to EV charging moves us further along on our journey to sustainability.”

Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said: “Expanding EV charging into retail locations like Central Co-op stores ensures that sustainable transport is accessible where people live, work, and shop. As a B Corp, we share the values of the Co-op movement, and we are making charging more convenient for customers while helping stores play a leading role in the transition to cleaner, more responsible mobility.”