Zest and Central Co-op expand EV charging network across the UK
Six stores already live as partnership aims to roll out charging at 20 more locations.
Zest has partnered with Central Co-op to install electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities across multiple retail locations in the Midlands, Lancashire, and East Anglia.
Charging is now live at six Central Co-op storesoffering charging speeds between 30kW and 120kW. The new facilities provide customers with the convenience of topping up their vehicles while shopping, supporting the growing demand for reliable EV charging at retail destinations.
Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, added: “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.”
Under a multi-year agreement, Zest will fund, deploy, and operate the entire charging infrastructure, ensuring a seamless experience for both Central Co-op and its customers. The collaboration includes 20 additional sites in development, covering a mix of new and existing stores as well as selected petrol stations, aligning with Central Co-op’s wider sustainability mission.
“At the heart of this announcement is Central Co-op’s commitment to creating a sustainable Society for all,” said Andy Peake, Chief Operating Officer at Central Co-op. “We have ambitious goals to build on our longstanding Carbon Neutral commitments and aim to be 100% green energy self-sufficient by 2030 and NetZero by 2040.”
The rollout forms part of Zest’s expanding network of retail partnerships, reinforcing its mission to make EV charging widely available across the UK.
