Supermarkets build charging stations in parking lots
Published: Wednesday, Oct 2nd 2024, 10:20
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Swiss supermarkets want to install more charging stations for electric cars in their parking lots. Car importers welcome the initiative.
Sales of electric cars are currently sluggish. Compared to the same period last year, new registrations fell by almost a tenth in the first eight months of the year.
Many car buyers are still skeptical about "electric cars". According to a survey by insurer Axa, 60% of Swiss people can imagine buying an electric car. However, a lack of charging options at home or at work prevents tenants in particular from buying one.
One advantage of electric cars over combustion engines is that they can be recharged when parked, for example when shopping at the supermarket. And there is movement here. At the end of September, Aldi Suisse put the first fast-charging station into operation in Wil SG. With an output of up to 300 kilowatts, it charges particularly quickly. The discounter plans to equip 150 stores with such stations over the next two years.
Fast chargers can replace charging stations at home
The Swiss Automobile Import Association welcomes the expansion. "During a shopping trip of 20 to 30 minutes, fast charging can provide enough energy for a journey of at least 150 kilometers," says Deputy Director Christoph Wolnik.
With an average car usage of around 30 kilometers per day, this could cover the mobility needs of several days in many cases. "Fast charging on the road or while shopping can be a substitute for a missing charging station at your own parking space."
Other supermarkets are also upgrading their charging facilities in parking lots, even if particularly powerful fast-charging stations such as those at Aldi are likely to remain the exception for the time being. Migros currently operates stations with a charging capacity of up to 64 kilowatts at 108 stores, but intends to significantly expand its network in the coming years.
Rival Coop currently has 150 stores with charging stations, a fifth of which have fast-charging stations with a capacity of between 50 and 200 kilowatts. The retailer plans to expand its network to 200 locations by 2026, with a focus on expanding high-performance stations. And discounter Lidl Switzerland currently operates charging stations at 53 of its stores, most of which have a maximum output of between 50 and 60 kilowatts.
If drivers want to charge their "Stromer" quickly, the supermarkets charge accordingly. They currently charge between 42 and 55 centimes per kilowatt hour, which is significantly more than the national average rate of 32 centimes. So if you want to drive an electric car as cheaply as possible, there is still no getting around a charging station at home.
©Keystone/SDA
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