By ROB HULL
Electric car drivers can now earn loyalty points at Tesco supermarkets when they charge their EVs while shopping.
From today, Clubcard members can collect points for every pound spent when using one of thousands of devices at the supermarket's locations across the country.
Tesco currently has 2,700 Vauxhall-branded Pod chargers at 619 stores nationwide, making it the largest retail EV charging network in Britain.
Sites have chargers of varying speeds, from 7kW devices costing 44p per kWh to use to rapid 75kW charging points that cost 69p/kWh.
The offer means EV owners now benefit from earning loyalty points in the same way petrol and diesel car drivers tally Clubcard points each time they fill up at the supermarket's forecourts.
But who is getting the best deal?
Electric car drivers from today can earn loyalty points at Tesco supermarkets when they charge while shopping. But are they getting a better deal that drivers filling up with petrol?
Tesco currently rewards drivers with 1 Clubcard point for every two litres of fuel bought.
We the average family car having a 55-litre tank, that's up to 27 points per fill up.
For EV owners, a Clubcard point is added every £1 spent on charging.
The rewards earned will vary depending on the electric car in question, the charging speed and how long it is connected while its owner is shopping.
However, a simple comparison suggests EV drivers will earn a similar volume of Clubcard points if they shop for around an hour.
Tesco currently rewards drivers with 1 Clubcard point for every two litres of fuel bought. We the average family car having a 55-litre tank, that's up to 27 points per fill up
For EV owners, a Clubcard point is added every £1 spent on charging
EV drivers can also get 2,500 Tesco Clubcard points by signing up to Pod's home charging subscription Pod Drive as a new customer, the two companies confirmed on Tuesday
Tesco has 2,700 EV chargers at 619 sites across its Tesco Extra and Superstore car parks throughout the United Kingdom.
There are four charger types available with varying speed and pricing:
7kW: 44p/kWh
22kW: 49p/kWh
50kW: 62p/kWh
75kW: 69p/kWh
For instance, an owner of Tesla Model Y (Britain's best-selling EV for the last four years) in Long Range AWD specification with a 75kWh battery to 80 per cent using a 50kW rapid charger takes 54 minutes.
At 62p/kWh, this works out at £28, meaning 28 points.
Charging an MG4 Trophy Long Range with a smaller 64kWh battery to 80 per cent takes just 48 minutes and costs £24, with a return of 24 points.
A Vauxhall Corsa-e with a 50kWh battery can be charged using the same device for just over half an hour at a cost of around £18, accruing 18 Clubcard points.
TShama Wilson, loyalty director at Tesco, said: 'Our customers have long been able to collect points on fuel from Tesco, but with an increasing number of drivers switching to electric vehicles we are delighted that shoppers will now be able to collect Clubcard points when they charge their cars at our stores, thanks to our exciting partnership with Pod.
'You can now park at your local Tesco and top-up your electric vehicle while you shop, in the knowledge that you are collecting Clubcard points towards a future Tesco shop or to exchange with one of our Reward Partners.'
A secondary deal has also been launched as part of this growing collaboration.
EV drivers can also get 2,500 Clubcard points by signing up to Pod's home charging subscription Pod Drive as a new customer.
These points are worth £25 when converted into Clubcard Vouchers to spend at Tesco.
Motorists who buy a new electric Vauxhall are also issued with 50,000 Clubcard points worth £500, to spend in store or the supermarket's website.