Lidl Portugal has reported a 134% year-on-year increase in the use of electric vehicle charging stations across its stores, with more than 227,000 vehicle top-ups taking place during 2022.
A total of 227,160 top-ups were carried out, at an average of 40 minutes each, corresponding to the average shopping time in stores, the retailer noted.
The retailer operates electric vehicle charging stations in more than 130 stores across the country, with fast charging stations in all district capitals.
Located in stores in all district capitals, Lidl said that its charging stations facilitate more sustainable mobility across the country.
CO2 Emissions
Since its inception, the initiative has helped the retailer to eliminate around 6,080 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
That is the equivalent of emissions from more than 10,000 round-trips by air from Lisbon to New York per passenger.
Lidl Portugal's electric charging network costs €0.08 per minute, which is lower than the market rate and is the same throughout the country.
In addition, Lidl bears the cost of EGME tariffs imposed on Charging Point Operators (OPCs).
Lidl Portugal
Elsewhere, a recent study by KMPG found that Lidl Portugal generated over €7 billion for the Portuguese economy in the period from 2019-2021.
In 2021 alone, the company's contribution was €2.6 billion, representing 1.2% of GDP that year, meaning that for every €1 spent by Lidl, €1.73 was generated for the Portuguese economy.
Of this total, 58% corresponds to a direct contribution through payment to suppliers, salaries and taxes.
©2023 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
