July 20th 2024.
Attention shoppers! If you're planning on driving to the supermarket for your weekly grocery haul, there are a few new rules you should know about. We all know that different shops have different regulations when it comes to parking, such as time limits or designated areas. However, if you're a Sainsbury's customer and you drive an electric vehicle, there are a few more things you should be aware of.
Recently, Sainsbury's announced a major change to their parking system that has sparked quite a buzz in the industry. They have become the first supermarket to offer bonus Nectar points to drivers who use their charging points. This is in response to the growing issue of "ghost charging", where EV drivers park in charging spots without actually using them, simply to secure a parking space. In fact, Sainsbury's conducted their own research and found that over half of EV drivers have admitted to using this tactic to save time during their weekly shop.
It's not just about earning Nectar points though, the change is also aimed at promoting proper etiquette when it comes to charging EVs. Sainsbury's research showed that almost 70% of EV drivers agree that there needs to be better etiquette in this area. In a bid to tackle "ghost charging", customers who actually use the charging points will now be rewarded with Nectar points. Trish Devin, the customer director at Sainsbury's Smart Charge, believes this will also encourage customers to pop into the store while they wait for their vehicle to charge.
According to the research, the issue of "ghost charging" is particularly prevalent in large cities like Cardiff, Birmingham, and Belfast. It's no surprise then that almost 90% of drivers express their frustration towards others who don't follow the rules. However, it's also understandable that with EVs being a relatively new concept, it can be confusing to know the proper etiquette.
Aside from "ghost charging", drivers have also raised other concerns such as people hogging plugs, long waiting times, poor parking, and the dreaded "cable spaghetti". In response to this, Sainsbury's Smart Charge has partnered with William Hanson, an etiquette coach, to share some unofficial parking rules to make the process a little easier.
William has some helpful tips for those planning to visit Sainsbury's with their EV. He suggests not using the bay for any longer than necessary, with 30 minutes being more than enough to get an extra 200 miles of charge. He also reminds drivers to park considerately and be mindful of the size of the bays. Despite being larger than a normal parking spot, it's still possible to end up crossing outside the lines.
Another important rule, according to William, is to only use the charging bays if you actually plan on charging your car. This may seem obvious, but it's a common frustration for EV drivers to find all the charging spots occupied by cars that aren't even charging. William has worked closely with Sainsbury's Smart Charge to create an EV Etiquette Guide in hopes of reducing the frustrations felt by the electric vehicle community and creating a more enjoyable, stress-free experience for all.
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