How to use a Tesco Pod Point charger | Electrifying Explains

[@drxym]

"Access the pod point app". That there in a sentence is what's wrong with electric vehicle charging. Every charger should accept credit card payments directly or a nearby kiosk. Shouldn't be necessary to load a phone up with umpteen garbage charging apps or have a wallet of RFID cards to do this.

[@jameschapman4824]

In my experience of the chargers at Tesco many of them are used by people not actually shopping in the store. Which is why I'm so glad that they have started to charge for them even though it is pretty good value.

[@MartinzW]

I would prefer a more active system of, you plug it in, you can start charging normally for free for up to 10m, then, to keep charging, you have to scan receipt from Tesco in the app valued above certain amount to keep charging for another 30m, rinse and repeat - if not done, then the charge stops. Such system would be especially useful for rapid chargers. Store items bring in more money anyway and this way people will only be charging if they are active customers.

[@djtaylorutube]

@@MartinzW You'd think that Tesco could offer 50% off the charge value if you present a receipt over a certain value from the previous week's shop, or something like that. That's fair to everyone.

[@aakeister]

A question about chargers. As a disabled person, I am looking at a BEV, but one thing I have noticed is that the majority of chargers don’t have any form of canopy , so plugging in and enabling the ChargePoint in winter rain/snow cabin be a problem for disabled people, plus many don’t seem to be well lit at night?

[@billreynolds3227]

Another aspect is the weight of the cable, though I am getting the hang of it with my MG4.

[@devonbikefilms]

The Podpoint experience for me and my eNiro was rubbish. I’ve had my charging cable locked into the charger after closing the charge in my app and removing the lead from the cars port. Two out of four uses at different sites. Their customer service was poor, took 45 minutes hanging on the phone to find out I was in a queue to get in the queue and when the lad on the phone couldn’t do a remote release, he just hung up. In the end I managed to release the cable by starting the charge again and setting the charge limit to less than the actual charge. It then stopped and released the cable. Hardly seamless. I cancelled my podpoint account and even that took twice as long as they promise it would because they kept emailing me “are you sure” emails and holding up the process. Overall they were very poor for me and I can see no point in supporting them.

[@blackrocket2000]

PodPoints @tesco are by far the easiest and best charge points around. If only all EV public chargers were this easy to use. And yes, they are no longer free, but rates are fair, and cheaper than my home tariff. So I use as often as possible. And at some Superstores parking is free up to 3 hours.

[@chriss4949]

In 5 years, using an app to access a charger will be pre-historic. Contactless credit/debit is the only way.

[@CastleKnight7]

Exactly. Why they didn’t just make it as simple as using a petrol pump is beyond me.

[@del4668]

​@@CastleKnight7 because they are interested in capturing your data so they can sell it.

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Plug and charge is the better way, like teslas and a few other cars can now do no need to even get a card out (and less to go wrong with the charger).

[@steveg44]

I’m new to the EV game & how they make non contactless charge points as aggravating as possible just blows my mind, make them tap to start / charge / tap to finish & go FFS

[@SaltireBlue]

We’ve been using the chargers at our local Tesco for around eight months. They used to be free but now they’re not. We have two EVs - a Fiat 500 and a new Niro EV4. We usually do our weekly shop on a Sunday and stick the car on a cheeky wee charge while we’re shopping. Because the chargers are relatively slow, we don’t get much of a charge while shopping but, as Tesco might say, Every Little Helps. Initially we didn’t understand how to use the Podpoint app properly so were getting the fifteen minutes charge and then it would stop. We now use the app and chargers regularly without problem. Except later in the day when the four chargers get very popular and are unavailable when we arrive. Shopping earlier helps - the early bird gets the charger! This video would have really helped us in the early stages of our EV learning curve, so thanks!

[@grahamcastle8189]

I've used podpoint chargers at several Tesco stores without problem although I'm less impressed with PodPoints bill proceedures that ringfence a chunk of your bank account and then take days to settle the bill and release the surplus back into youraccount.

[@j5s9c]

Hi. Very useful video. I've just taken delivery of a Hyundai plug in hybrid. We shop at Tesco every week so this will be handy. Do you need to register with Tesco before you use it or enter your club membership number? Thanks.

[@leesmart1971]

A friend of mine took his aged and poor-mobility mother to a Waitrose to do the weekly shop just before Christmas. Took quite a while due to her mobility issues and how busy it was. A couple of weeks into the new year he received a "charge notice" from the parking management company. They have ANPR on the entrance and exit to the car park that recorded them being there for 97 minutes. As the limit is 90, they got charged for parking beyond the allowed time. He was in a petrol car but the same car park has EV chargers so the same rule would apply. I'm not complaining, simply advising everyone that you need to make yourselves aware if there are any restrictions, because you will be liable for these charges if you exceed the time limits stated on signage at the store. They are private land and the store owners can levy a charge if they choose to do so, normally via a parking management company. He's waiting for his appeal to be reviewed.....

[@paulinchris]

It may be possible to register your vehicle at customer services, explaining the issue with slow shopping. This should exempt you from the time restriction.

[@barriepotter3753]

My brother tried to use pod points a few weeks ago. It was as though they really didn’t want us to charge up. accessing the app, and getting to work was like going round in circles, we never got one to work. In this day and age it should be one click to get an iPhone connected. This was the only app I failed to get to work. With contactless tech it should be as simple as waving a card or phone at it, like I can do in any shop. They really don’t want you to use them.

[@Ej-en2lz]

It’s ridiculous! They are all the same! That’s why I’m glad I’ve got a Tesla as there superchargers are as easy as they will ever be. Also, they give you a one full charge overdraft

[@explosivefitnessuk]

Thanks. Doing my first charge on a podpoint and this was useful

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Even when they were free i never bothered using them since its only a few miles of charging not worth the effort. I could see me using one in extremis if there was a cafe so i could add 25 miles or so in an hour. Better if they went the Morrisons route of 50Kw chargers only. that at least gives you something decent for say 30 mins shopping. ETA very clear explanation.

[@CoasterRob]

Great video but only problem is every ev I've looked at all come with a standard 3 pin plug which is fine at home but on the go a ev charger is preferred and pod point told me that 3 pin plugto type2 adapter is prohibited 😢

[@richardblakey3345]

Much easier access now they are charging. 28p/kWh is still reasonably cheap as a lot of cheapskates don’t want to pay anything. Many Tesco require you to enter a code on a device in or outside the shop which the staff on the till give you to ensure you have shopped in their store (locally that is if you are going to park for over an hour). Several I use have ANPR cameras which people may not realise if they don’t read the signs. Most seem to have a limit of 3 hours. I tend to go into the store buy some non perishable goods , pop around town and then get fresh food in shop before leaving. My Niro has a 240V plug in the car so I take my Halfords Cool Box and can keep the food cold even if I am there a while. Some struggle to give 7kW especially if you already have close to or over 80% charge.

[@EXSKIN]

Sainsburys pod point near me, still free 2hr max parking limit not bad I think.

[@mabr82]

Thanks for this, about to take delivery of my first ev

[@grahamcook9289]

The Tesco Extra at Gillingham, Kent has a time-limit of 15mins outside of store opening hours. The store is closed midnight to 6am and on Sundays from 4 pm to 6am. I don't get it. They have a 50kWh charger x 2 so someone on a long distance journey might want to fast charge during their journey, which could be between midnight and 6am. The parking restrictions should have an exception for at least the fast charger to allow 24 hour use.

[@sheldonv8]

I no longer use Podpoints because they aren't free but when I did want to charge on most occasions the chargers were ICE'd. . The store managers aren't the slightest bit bothered though because Tesco don't make money from charging. I go to Aldi now and use their free chargers.

[@TheManWithNoName786]

Aldi still free? My local isnt. Shell are the provider

[@TheWinstn60]

Ahh the times I've used Stan-Myer! I don't bother anymore as I shop for about 1 hour and it was worth it for a little free charge. But now its not free which has got rid of the freeloaders who never shopped in store and just sat there on a conference call or something. But not worth it for me anymore sadly which is a shame for loyal shoppers. I still see the odd numpty rushing out for the coffee shop and unplugging the charger then plugging it back in again to get another 10 mins free charge. Don't get me started on the PHEV brigade!!! The system is ok but could be simpler

[@bryanduncan6178]

Most Tesco's have a Costa Coffee or own brand coffee shop, you can easily kill a couple of hours in there. Also, most Tesco's have WiFi, so if you are in a poor reception area just connect to that!

[@lordpitnolen2196]

Why do they allow chargers to be regularly iced?

[@briankavanagh7191]

lord, the Tescos by me is always tesla'd.

[@positivelycharged1296]

These were my go to chargers when free I thought HE were paying the electric,quick shop used to give me 11 miles more than when my day started

[@jeffreykyle8587]

My local Tesco at Gatwick is usually monopolised my Addison Lee drivers charging their cars.

[@juliandavies7890]

I charge at Tesco all the time as I cannot charge at home. I only live a two minute walk away from there. So I plug in and walk back home. Maximum 3 hour stay at most stores or £100 fine.

[@firstnamelastname9631]

Question: Why charging a car at 50 KW is more expensive than charging it at 7 KW? My little head (cough) boggles; isn't like if when I am filling my bath the cost would be defined by how open the tap is as opposed to how much water I use?

[@Electrifyingcom]

It's because the chargers themselves are a lot more expensive.

[@firstnamelastname9631]

@@Electrifyingcom Mmmmm... so, if I use a gold tap to fill my bath the water will be more expensive than if I use a metal tap? mmmm.... Wouldn't a fast charger allow to them to charge more cars than a slow charger? therefore selling more juice? A comparison that comes to mind is petrol stations; do those using modern, more expensive petrol pumps charge more the same petrol than those that have an old petrol pump that does the same job? OK, I'm being difficult 😁.

[@vfr8009]

You're paying for the convenience of speed - 40mins ish Vs 6hrs

[@MikeGleesonazelectrics]

its much faster, thats why.. gold taps dont make the water come out any quicker do they?

[@Watson1973]

I work for Tesco as one of their drivers and I am considering buying an EV but as I do not own a driveway thought I could charge it at my work like some of my employees do. Unfortunately recently most of my employees who own PHEV hybrids don’t charge at our store so much due to selfish RS3 or RR drivers using the charge points to park as clearly disabled spaces are being used people who are disabled and are now using charging points for their ICE cars to go in and buy vapes n energy drinks.

[@MikeGleesonazelectrics]

you should push management to enforce the parking rules - eg clamp or fine! That will deter these selfish car owners..

[@Bin_it_or_Ben_it]

Fact-full as ever. Thanks

[@andytownsend9163]

Do these VW chargers only charge VW cars?

[@keyserxx]

someone should tell them about debit and credit cards, some now even have contactless!

[@spacemanwho]

Do any of the supermarkets still offer free charging?

[@kidsweatherwarning199]

Now Tesco changed partnerships with Vauxhall for EV Charging powered by Pod Point

[@srspower]

Public type 2 chargers at supermarkets are pointless, you'd need to be there for nearly ten hours to charge fully from 0%

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Yep they do what Morrisons have done, put relatively lower power (and i assume cheaper?) DC units in, the 30 min or so dwell time in the shop is enough to get a very decent charge.

[@egold33311]

None work at Morrisons @@Joe-lb8qn

[@johnbev2336]

One thing you missed vw we charge card,you don’t have to have to log into pod point account

[@CoasterRob]

Can you get clubland points on charging stations

[@rajgopee1245]

Used these for the first time. Nothing but problems with the 50kwh fast charger. Always showed as already claimed even though it was available

[@JayBonart]

How many pro mo’s can you get in one video?

[@timslater999]

A very useful video and helpful too. Thank you.

[@joepitt1192]

I’ve always maintained it was such a waste of the VW money (by way of the Dieselgate fine) to spend it on then free podpoint charging stations in Tesco. They should have put in 50kWHr chargers and EV drivers would have been happy to pay. 7kwhr charging for a 30 minute stay is almost utterly pointless. Such a wasted opportunity. Moreover the Tesco in Tavistock is very small - over the road is a much bigger Morrisons with a cafe etc. FFS why didn’t they put the chargers there? Usual lack of foresight and planning typical of the UK

[@Spica1000]

Well, was thinking of buying an electric car, but still reluctant! Looking at this it seems an awful lot of trouble to set up. Then there’s the still long wait to fill up compared to combustion engines This is always assuming you have got a smart phone, and you haven’t forgotten it! Think infrastructure and battery technology has seriously got to improve if the government wants all petrol and diesel vehicles out of the showrooms by 2030! Honestly, that’s not that far away now! Far far too soon if you ask me! Everything just isn’t ready!

[@markfox1545]

If I trip over a charging cable when walking from the far side of the car park where I've parked my £6,000 1.5 litre 60mpg diesel Juke past the £70,000 electric cars that get spaces near the store, do I sue Tesco or the electric milk float 1880s tech car owner?

[@Robert-yb3gm]

Hi I have an i3 REX up until about 3 months ago I was able to charge at Tesco no problem but now when I plug in the app says accepted and charging but nothing happens even using a different one as soon as someone has finished charging I’ve reported my problem to pod point several times but all they say via a text is that the charger has been restarted remotely ! I have a credit of £5 I’ve even closed the app and opened it again I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong has anyone else had similar issues ?

[@markrozee]

I'm glad they have them but Booths is far easier. Contactless credit cards

[@richardjohnson5529]

This is why most people dont or won't want to change to an EV because charging stations should be like petrol stations you shouldn't need a phone App to find one. Can you imagine if this was how you found a petrol station.

[@cannygrowabeard]

If you’re in an unfamiliar area, you’re probably going to have to check a map to find a PFS, granted they’re just a BIT easier to identify than a charge point. For an area you ARE familiar with, you’d be unlikely to forget where the charge point is once you’ve visited once.

[@grahamcastle8189]

Before there were petrol stations you had to buy petrol from the chemists.

[@djtaylorutube]

@@cannygrowabeard Although it's quite unusual to find petrol pumps out of service or that need a phone call to "command and control" to make it work, or use an app to pay or maybe not. General EV charging does still appear to be somewhat difficult to trust.

[@richardblakey3345]

This is just the way podpojnt works as they are largely older chargers at Tesco. It is quicker than fiddling around finding your debit/credit card and entering the PIN before filling with fuel. Most chargers use contactless debit cards or branded charge cards. Many car manufacturers have charge cards you can use with multiple charging networks like my Kia charge card.

[@hughmarcus1]

You’ve obviously never run a company vehicle on a fuel card. Insert card in the pump, select fuel (often 4 options) then a PIN, then the reg, then the mileage, wait for it to be authorised, remove card. Then you can draw fuel. 😉

[@M0j0]

It's now a 5 minute free window which is quite poor to be fair. 15 minutes was perfect for us. At first I thought my car or cable was on the blink. But after confirming it with other users at different sites... They've quietly reduced it to 5 mins free before you have to pay.

[@DamienMcAvoy]

44p/kWh at my local Tesco for 7kW. Too expensive

[@DapperPaperBag]

"who spends an hour and a half in Tesco?" This man hasn't met my mother 😭

[@H4M24UK]

Most of them are 7kw chargers, too slow. By the time you finished your shopping you'd be lucky if it went up by 2%.

[@MikeGleesonazelectrics]

That would surely compensate for the return journey there?

[@billyray323]

Be very careful these 2 companies will catch you out with parking fines & Tesco will fine you for using them outsite shop opening hours, i got a £50 fine over christmas & tesco wouldn't discuss this, nor would podpoint. So it's entrapment by the 2 companies! I used to shop at Tesco but have since boycotted the bastards

[@crm114.]

Seems unnecessarily complicated. Compare this to the Tesla charging experience: drive to the supercharger, plugin, done!

[@egold33311]

What click start charge on the app is complicated...

[@CortinasAndClassics]

I hate contactless tappy tap and stupid apps. Explain how to charge a car without those.....

[@chrismorrison1955]

I would expect a much lower price if it's for customers only

[@thalesofmiletus2966]

Nope. 15p per kWh. Some EVSE’s near me are still free.

[@Carrman2020]

I wish we wouldn’t call the 50kw chargers “Rapid”. In Norway only chargers above this value (or mainly 100kw+) are named thus with 50’s being fast.Sign of how much catching up we need to do in the UK I suppose? Podpoint are really easy to use with the App - don’t know why people complain? The best ones are the ones who complain when they only get 15 minutes of charge….

[@gary63693]

3:18 that door seems like it's made badly

[@richmaniow]

I noticed that it looked like it was going to come off the tracks, not great for a £70k vehicle..

[@robh9207]

No prat all charging. Onlycown side is the low power

[@GuyNelson-vd1wu]

Nice

[@PJ-ml3yy]

Really informative video, but I am going to stay with my petrol powered car for the time being.

[@Thehungrywolf999]

thx for letting us know

[@SWR112]

Yes yes it’s the posh shopping centre and a M&S Car park at the back with another bigger Car park at the front on the centre. But I’ve watched six chargers that were empty for years then one or two would use them to now all six free chargers used constant. 😁 In fact I’ve had a interest in EV since 2010. I’ve noticed one EV in the car park a few times a month to now there was probably 20 pure EV Cars in a I’d guess was a 150 plus car park every visit. 😊

[@Grant.G.Simpson]

this charging speed tariff needs to stop. 1 price UK wide every charger every speed. then you choose the Kw speed based off how much you need/when you next using vehicle. ie, parked for the night, 7kw is plenty fast for you

[@Joe-lb8qn]

People are too selfish or careless, they will happily plug in at a 350 even if their car only does 50, they need an incentive to choose the right charger.

[@Joseph-jy5lz]

Why oh why don’t the suppliers just have a tap and pay system rather than having to down load an app. Pure stupidity

[@positivelycharged1296]

Sainsbury's still have no EV charging time for a Boycot everyone I have let us know often but they don't get it.

[@nigep]

Contactless is simple but this sadly at Tesco is anything but simple

[@mickdownes9265]

Have been charging at my local Tesco for ages, just found out that I got charged last week for the first time at 40p/kWh. Won't be charging there again!

[@jameschapman4824]

Good. There not for freeloaders.

[@richardblakey3345]

It’s 28p/kWh not 40p.

[@Electrifyingcom]

The video explains the different rates. 22kW is 40p.

[@mryoutubeuncle8403]

You stealing c4nt, i bet you get free meal at Mcdonald everyday aswell

[@tuddin6561]

Hardly simple. Turning up, connecting plug, contactless on phone or card would be simple.

[@grahamcook9289]

7kW fast chargers? Surely fast chargers start at 22kW? I'm not sure 50kW counts as rapid.

[@MrGMawson2438]

4:33 shh 😆

[@il6637]

What an absolute faff. Should be able to use contactless like petrol to pay and have a system of locking and unlocking the cable…

[@phuketexplorer]

So you turn up with a near flat battery, the ridiculous app won't work and you end up paying a fine for overstaying in the car park. 😄

[@paulbuckingham15]

Don't turn up with a near flat battery then.

[@toad008]

Crikey ! The way you smashed those doors open/shut, and how you threw that cable into a new car ! Keep away from any of my property, are you trying to show off or something ?

[@stevenjones916]

Was this a paid promo ? If so, you should state that.

[@joking8189]

People just keep unplugging after 15 minutes and paying nothing!

[@jimsouthlondon7061]

Until they get 1000s more urban rapid chargers 100s more EV sales daily trying to charge without a driveway is a non starter.

[@EXSKIN]

Having no problems into my 6 weeks owning an EV Fastned 300kw 5 miles from my house excellent rapids A19 A1M N.E England to say around M1 leed,s

[@egold33311]

Rapids are not a long term solution for no drive way, waste of time! @@EXSKIN

[@chrispenn715]

So last century - bring your own cable 😂 Modern chargers should have fixed charge leads....

[@MikeGleesonazelectrics]

How long do you think they would last?

[@chrispenn715]

@@MikeGleesonazelectrics As long as a petrol pump hose i guess? Never had to drag one of them along in my petrol cars 😂

[@MikeGleesonazelectrics]

@@chrispenn715 no, because you don't have a plastic body and electrical contacts in a petrol pump end. I have seen quite a few damaged ev charging connectors, many people don't look after them or use them properly, hence my comment. .

[@bendenisereedy7865]

Never, ever, will I buy an EV. My diesel Passat foes 62 mpg, meaning I get double the miles for my money than an EV would give me and I can travel almost 1000 miles on a tank full.

[@LucifersTear]

Lmao, the innuendos were strong on this one. "Nice circle Michael!" "TP Cornhole" (isn't TP Toilet Paper and Cornhole slang for A*hole??) 😂😭🤣

[@nickbonzer]

so there you have it ...wtf.......7kw chargers will take longer than 20 hours to fully charge. With an hour and a half time limit you are probably only getting enough charge for 3-5 miles ......big deal .....plus in the last year prices have risen 14% ........eventually medium charging will be equivalent cost to petrol and you will pay a premium for fast charging probably more than the petrol equivalent .......just another way to put prices up and rinse everyone

[@edsilvester]

App? Faff? Pay more for fast chargers? Why is this ok? This is an utter farce. Pay contactless. Use modern technology. Normalise this nonsense. Ive sold my ev as Im sick of this.

[@MrGayle_]

Far too slow, thank god for Tesla superchargers

[@bivideo7]

Powered by coal...

[@keegan773]

What a complete pfaff. I don’t need the correct app. I don’t have to wait for a charger to free up and I don’t have to wait ages while the charge takes place. I drive into my local Tesco, pop the diesel nozzle into my tank, press the trigger and I’m full in no time and on my way in less time that it takes to listen to this video. All the propaganda in the world won’t alter the fact that EV’s are a step backward especially when powered by dangerous lithium batteries.

[@davidbarley6653]

only 1 thing ev cars are worth it if you got free electric otherwise stick with petrol cars .

[@tilidie5272]

farce

[@TheThreeOfLife91]

Not available in Ireland. Also, Tesco's app is not available on the APP store of countries where Tesco is not present (e.g. Italy) which is quite a Xenophobe move since making an App available worldwide doesn't cost anything. 🤨

[@richardjohnson5529]

Because of the pathetic charging infrastructure that exists I have decided to sell my EV and buy an hybrid car.

[@aarong9378]

This is what I would expect someone named Richard Johnson to say.

[@richardblakey3345]

Just as the network if improving? I don’t think that is the right decision.

[@FingerMyCod]

What's stopping someone swiping your charger

[@BigALBoomer]

I’ve always wondered this too those cables are easily worth £100 on eBay to some robbing scum bag

[@MrGayle_]

It's locked, when you finish charging you have select stop charging and then select unlock charger. That's what I have to do on my Tesla, imagine all EVs the same

[@Chris-ot9jf]

Great, let’s add 20 miles of range while we shop. Not worth it one bit.