Intermarché is to install charging stations for electric vehicles at three of its outlets in Poland.
According to the Polish arm of the Les Mousquetaires retail group, the stations will be located at stores in Ostróda, Grajewo and Knurów.
The construction of the Ostróda charging station has gone ‘successfully’ and is at the final stage, the company said. It will be powered by distributor Energa Operator, and is awaiting an audit by the Office of Technical Inspection.
The Grajewo charging point is at a similar stage.
As for the Knurów store, it is awaiting the completion of an agreement between Intermarché and electricity supplier Tauron. Once the project is green-lit, construction will begin. The installation is planned between July and August.
Each charge point will be able to handle two cars at a time, and topping up will be free for users, the retailer said.
Developing Electric Infrastructure
The company said the initiative is part of their plan to develop electric transport infrastructure in Poland.
‘The drive to reduce emissions and fuel consumption is the most important factor determining the development of the alternative fuels market in transport around the world,’ the company said in a release.
Armen Papazjan, CEO of Intermarché in Poland, commented,"Electromobility is one of the most dynamically developing branches of industry. Electric transport, [which] covers an increasing number of countries, is also gaining popularity in Poland."
He added, "We are opening these stations with the hope that in the next years there will be more and more cars powered by electricity on our roads, which will improve air quality."
Other retailers are choosing to implement charging stations on-site. Earlier this month, Finnish retailer K Group signed a deal with electric car charge provider Ionity, which will see the group roll out charging points at strategic locations around the country.
Government Promotion
There has been a move to promote electric vehicle uptake and infrastructure recently across Europe and globally, and Poland is no exception.
In February, the Polish government adopted its act on electromobility and alternative fuels. The legislation aims to promote the use of electric transport. Drivers of electric cars will receive a lower excise tax on their vehicle purchase, an improved depreciation rate, and some free parking in paid parking zones.
Electric vehicle sales are growing slowly but steadily in the country. Last year, Polish consumers bought 1,068 electric vehicles, according to the Observatory of the Alternative Fuels Market, a domestic NGO research organisation. This amounted to an increase of 87.7% on 2016.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
