Polish supermarket chain Biedronka plans to install fast chargers for electric and hybrid cars in the parking lots of 600 stores by the end of 2024.
Planned for stores in both large and smaller cities, each unit will be able to charge up to three cars, the company said in a statement.
The first stations are expected to open in Warsaw in the coming weeks, with 150 devices being rolled out for public use this year. The remaining 450 will be implemented nationwide throughout 2024.
A joint initiative by Biedronka and Portuguese company Powerdot, the project aims to build the largest direct current (DC) electric car charging system in Poland, tripling the existing infrastructure in just a few months.
'Destination Charging'
Paweł Stolecki, member of the board and chief operating officer at Biedronka said, "The network of chargers at Biedronka will be distributed across the country in such a way that the movement of electric vehicles on Polish roads will be possible by using the charging network of cars at Biedronka's sites across the country."
Grigoriy Grigoriev, CEO of Powerdot in Poland added, "The aim of the project is to make charging infrastructure available to everyone. [...] The project is in line with the idea of 'destination charging', i.e. charging the car while doing everyday chores."
Each charger at selected Biedronka stores will have a power of 120 kW, allowing for the charging of an average electric car in about 20-30 minutes.
After charging, each car will be ready to travel an average distance of about 200 kilometres.
A Compatible Network
All chargers will be equipped with three types of connectors – CCS, ChaDemo, and Type 2 – making it compatible for any electric car and plug-in hybrid.
Charging a vehicle at Biedronka stores does not require creating an account, using a specific mobile application, or paying any subscriptions.
Powerdot will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the chargers in terms of energy sales, payment processing, necessary software, and a 24/7 support centre.
Currently, electric vehicle drivers in Poland suffer from a shortage of fast chargers of at least 100 kW, and the project will fill this gap, Biedronka said.
Biedronka is owned by Portuguese retail group Jerónimo Martins and operates around 3,500 stores across Poland.
