Zest and Heart of England Co-op Team Up for Rapid EV Charging at Midlands Stores

UK charging network operator Zest has forged a new alliance with regional retailer Heart of England Co-op to bring high-speed charging to customers at nine supermarket locations across the Midlands. Under this long-term arrangement, Zest takes on the responsibility of both financing and operating the charging hardware, while the Co-op provides the prime retail sites. The rollout is set to give shoppers a convenient way to top up their electric vehicles during their regular grocery runs, turning everyday errands into opportunities to charge.

While the specific power output per stall was not disclosed, Zest is known for deploying high-power chargers that can significantly cut wait times. This partnership fits a broader trend in the UK, where grocery chains are increasingly viewed as ideal hosts for charging infrastructure due to their high footfall and central locations in towns and cities. For Heart of England Co-op, which operates stores in places like Attleborough, the move supports both its sustainability goals and customer service ambitions.

The multi-year agreement marks another step in Zest’s expansion across the country. The company continues to focus on locations that are not typically covered by fast-charging corridors, bringing the EV revolution to local neighborhoods. As construction gets underway, the first chargers are expected to go live over the coming months, with the full complement of nine sites rolling out progressively.