Lidl GB has launched a new supermarket in Birstall, West Yorkshire, with an ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub installed on-site.
Source, the joint venture between SSE and TotalEnergies has delivered the 12-bay hub sits two minutes from junction 27 off the M62, with the chargers operating at speed of up to 320KW.
Ten bays are sized for light goods vehicles (LGVs), allowing vans and larger vehicles room to charge alongside everyday EVs. The site also includes an accessible bay.
Liam Schofield, regional head of property at Lidl GB, said: “We’re delighted to open our brand-new store in Birstall, meeting the local need for affordable groceries and more sustainable charging options.
“As part of our wider commitment to expanding the accessibility of EV charging across the country, we’re proud to partner with Source to deliver this flagship EV charging hub.
“Our newest store is a fantastic location for drivers wanting to charge quickly while picking up their weekly shop.”
Reportedly, Yorkshire and the Humber has 110.7 public chargers per 100,000 people, against 174.9 across the UK, according to the latest Department for Transport figures.
Van drivers face a particular gap. The M62 between junctions 27 and 28 carries almost 118,000 vehicles a day, including more than 21,600 vans.
However, battery electric vans made up just 10.8% of new UK van registrations in the first nine months of 2026, against a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate target of 24%. The SMMT has pointed to a shortage of van-suitable charging as one of the barriers.
Deepa Chandrasekaran, managing director at Source, said: “Whether they drive a car or a van, most people want charging to fit around what they’re already doing.
“Here, drivers can plug in while they shop or stop off the M62 for a Lidl sweet treat, and leave with a fast, reliable charge.
“Public charging in this part of Yorkshire still lags behind the UK average, and we’re pleased to be working with Lidl to help close that gap in Birstall, as we grow our network in towns and cities like it across the country.”
Autonomous delivery, last-mile infrastructure and the challenges of moving goods through cities will be explored at Urban Logistics.
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