Sainsbury’s Smart Charge joins Allstar Chargepass network

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has added its Smart Charge ultra-rapid network to the Allstar Chargepass payment system.

The partnership means Allstar customers will be able to pay for charging using their card or app at all 58 of Sainsbury’s ultra-rapid charging hubs around the UK. Users will also be able to collect Nectar points with each charge and until 25 October will get a 10-fold Nectar boost on their first charge.

The move means Sainsbury’s joins other major charging operators including Tesla, Instavolt and Chargeplace Scotland in signing up with the fuel, charging and business expense specialist.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures, said: “The new partnership between Smart Charge and Allstar represents a fantastic new milestone for our EV charging business. From today, Allstar customers have access to our 24/7, convenient and reliable ultra-rapid charging hubs. Customers can make use of Sainsbury’s services such as cafes during their short wait, with the added personal reward of earning Nectar points while they charge.

“This is a critical next step in our ambition to make EV charging simple and accessible to all, giving a whole new sector of EV fleet drivers easy access to our network.”

Paul Holland, UK managing director for fleet at Allstar’s parent group Corpay said: “We are delighted to be expanding our extensive partnership with Sainsbury’s to now include EV charging in conjunction with their exciting Smart Charge initiative. Our focus is to provide the best payment solution for our customers, whether that’s fuel, EV charging on the road or at home. This is because we know that every business in the UK is at very different stages of their transition to an electric fleet. We also know, through our own research, the different needs and wants of business drivers across the UK. Public charging is up, and businesses continue to turn to electric vehicles for their fleet operations.

“It is through innovative partnerships like Sainsbury’s Smart Charge, that we are aligning with like-minded, forward thinking brands that share our vision for a fast, convenient and accessible EV charging world for all the nation’s drivers.”

Sainsbury’s Smart Charge was launched at the start of 2024 to provide high-powered charging rather than the usual slower devices offered at supermarkets. Its 150kW devices can add 70% capacity in as little as 30 minutes and it currently has 475 bays at almost 60 locations, with plans for 750 bays at more than 100 locations by the end of the year.