Heart of England Co-op is rolling out ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging points at nine convenience stores across Coventry and Warwickshire, with plans to assess every location that has car parking facilities. The retailer has partnered with Zest, a fast-growing EV charging operator, to install the new equipment at stores in Attleborough, Nuneaton, Coventry, Southam, Lower Heathcote, Wellesbourne, Hillmorton and Balsall Common.
Rollout begins across the region
The first branches to receive the chargers include Attleborough and Coniston Way in Nuneaton, along with Rotherham Road and Alfall Road in Coventry. Installation work started in August and is expected to wrap up over the coming weeks. Each site will get between two and four charging points, according to the company.
The newly opened £2.4m store at Flying Fields in Southam is also part of the programme. Altogether, the nine locations represent an early phase—the retailer said every store with a car park will eventually be evaluated for faster charging infrastructure.
Related: Retail sector slams Scottish food price cap plans
How the chargers work
Drivers can pay using contactless methods through Zest’s app or via roaming networks including Octopus Electroverse, Allstar and Plugsurfing. The chargers are designed for ease of use, letting people top up while shopping at the convenience stores.
What the companies say
John Bridges, head of property services at Heart of England Co-op, said Zest is the UK’s fastest-growing investor-operator of public EV chargers. “Its mission is to make the transition to EVs a realistic option for everyone by accelerating access to abundant, convenient and reliable public charging,” he said. “It’s great news for the environment and reflects our commitment to support more sustainable communities. We’ve invested millions in green initiatives over the past few years, and the environment remains a major consideration in everything we do.”
Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, said the partnership brings reliable ultra-rapid charging to more communities across the Midlands. “By installing charging facilities at convenient retail locations, we’re making it easier for drivers to charge as part of their everyday routines while supporting the transition to cleaner transport,” he added.
Related: Lab-Created Diamonds vs. Moissanite: A Comprehensive Comparison
For shoppers who already visit these stores regularly, having fast chargers on-site removes one of the practical barriers to owning an electric vehicle—range anxiety and the hassle of finding a charging point. Rather than making a separate trip to a charging hub, drivers can plug in while picking up groceries or grabbing a coffee. The appeal is straightforward: convenience built into existing routines rather than adding another stop to the day.
The move comes as retailers across the UK increasingly look to add EV infrastructure to their car parks, betting that charging facilities will draw in customers who might otherwise shop elsewhere. Heart of England Co-op’s decision to assess all its parking-equipped stores suggests this is seen as a long-term shift rather than a one-off pilot.
