Sainsbury's has today (January 12) launched a brand-new, dedicated EV charging business.

Smart Charge will give drivers access to ultra-rapid EV charging points, as research finds three quarters of EV drivers still suffer range anxiety.

In new research commissioned by Sainsbury's, 80% of EV users admitted to avoiding long journeys, describing the main frustrations as chargers being broken (40%), not enough charging bays (36%) and speed of service (33%).

Sainsbury's Smart Charge will initially feature over 750 cutting-edge ultra-rapid charging bays rolled out across more than 100 stores by the end of 2024, putting Sainsbury's in the top five providers of ultra-rapid charging in the UK.

Ultra-rapid is the fastest type of EV charging currently available on the market, but a third (32%) of EV drivers surveyed said they have yet to benefit from using it.

Designed to be extremely speedy, reliable and easy to use, Sainsbury's 150kW Smart Charge bays will allow users to fully charge their vehicle in as little as 30 minutes, providing enough power to travel up to 200 miles.

Smart Charge is already available at more than 20 Sainsbury's stores. New charging hubs will be added to the Smart Charge network throughout the UK regularly.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury's director of property, procurement and EV ventures, said: "As one of the few providers to be focusing exclusively on cutting-edge ultra-rapid 150kW+chargers, customers can be in and out in as little as half an hour and avoid waiting longer with less powerful alternatives.

"We're committed to helping to reduce carbon emissions and offering a national EV charging service forms part of this pledge. Our new charging points are powered by the same 100% renewable electricity that powers the rest of our estate."

Anthony Browne, minister for technology and decarbonisation, said: "Businesses play a crucial role in the delivery of EV infrastructure, so it's great to see Sainsbury's embracing ultra-rapid technology which will benefit EV drivers."

Smart Charge is the first and only EV charging business to be fully owned and managed end-to-end by a UK supermarket.