Electric briefs: Latest from Pod, Europcar, Bradshaw Electric Vehicles, Econ Engineering, EDF, Zest and Allstar

Pod expands partnership with Tesco to offer Clubcard points for EV charging 

Clubcard members can now collect a Clubcard point for every pound spent on charging at Pod’s Vauxhall-branded chargers at Tesco stores.

The expanded partnership is also offering electric vehicle (EV) drivers 2,500 Clubcard points by signing up to Pod’s all-inclusive home charging subscription Pod Drive1 as a new customer.

The 2,500 points are worth £25 when converted into Clubcard Vouchers to spend at Tesco, or £50 when doubled in value with more than 100 Clubcard Reward Partners.

Pod Drive is the first new offering following Pod Point’s rebrand to Pod, and saves more than £1,000 in typical upfront costs of getting a home EV charger2.

Pod Point chargers, including on the public network, will retain their product branding and sit alongside the Pod Drive proposition under the new Pod brand.

To access the Clubcard points deal with Pod Drive, customers start their order through the offer page on Pod’s website.

As part of the sign-up process, they will need to sign into their Tesco Clubcard account to link their order, so that their Clubcard points can be credited once their home charger is successfully installed.

Tesco’s group membership and loyalty director, Shama Wilson, said: “Our customers have long been able to collect points on fuel from Tesco, but with an increasing number of drivers switching to electric vehicles we are delighted that shoppers will now be able to collect Clubcard points when they charge their cars at our stores, thanks to our exciting partnership with Pod.”

Pod’s CEO Melanie Lane added: “Fresh from repositioning the business as Pod and launching Pod Drive, we’re committed to building momentum and bringing our brilliant partners on our mission; to make EV charging easy and affordable for everyone.”

Pod has been working in partnership with Tesco since 2019 and today its partnership with Tesco and Vauxhall operates more than 2,600 EV charging bays at more than 600 Tesco store car parks across the UK.

Hyundai Kona added to the Europcar electric rental fleet

Europcar has added the Hyundai Kona to its fleet for business and leisure rentals, providing customers with a greater choice of fully electric vehicles.

Tom Middleditch, head of electric mobility at Europcar, explained that the compact SUV group is increasingly popular with families and those travelling for work.

He added that the new addition to the fleet demonstrates its commitment to “providing customers with access to comfortable electric cars to help ease the transition from petrol and diesel to full electric”.

All Europcar fully EVs are provided with a minimum 80% charge, and drivers only need to charge to 20% when they return the vehicle. 

Bradshaw unveils new all-electric, compact RCV line-up

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles has launched a new range of refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), which are specifically engineered to tackle the challenges of urban and food waste collection.

The RCV range, which includes the Goupil G4, the long-wheelbase G4L and Bradshaw's pedestrian PFB1500, are each designed to offer a solution to local authorities and waste management companies who need to operate in confined urban and pedestrian areas.

All three models have been made available in four body configurations; high tip body only, high tip body with bin lift, high tip body with bin lift and compaction arm or high tip body with bin lift and rear door for food waste collection.

The road-legal Goupil G4 is available with two lithium battery options, offering either a 62-mile or 93-mile range (wltp figures) on a single charge. 

The standard G4-RCV has a 2.0m3 hopper and a payload of up to 740kg and works with 120, 240, and 360-liter bins. 

The G4L Long-Wheelbase adds 500mm to its chassis, increases the volume to 3.5m3 and works with larger 660-litre bins.

Based on the PFB1500, which is available with a number of body options, including cage body, Bradshaw’s pedestrian-controlled walk-along RCV is designed to tackle the challenges of urban waste collection in areas with high pedestrian footfall and limited vehicle access. 

The pedestrian-controlled RCV handles 120, 240 and 360-litre bins and features a corrosion-resistant aluminium hopper.

All three RCVs feature corrosion-resistant aluminium bodies with a 90° tipping angle for easy waste disposal into larger containers or larger RCVs for satellite operations, streamlining waste collection rounds and reducing overall time on the streets. 

Ramsy Labassi, marketing manager of Bradshaw Electric Vehicles, said: "As a company that is continually looking to innovate and respond to the evolving needs of its customers, we have introduced this new RCV range to offer a more sustainable and efficient solution for urban waste collection.”

EDF launches EV tariff with smart charging

EDF has launched Smart Charging, a new bolt-on to its EV tariffs, which aims to give customers access to more off-peak electricity rates, by letting EDF automatically charge their car when electricity is cheapest and greenest.

Available to customers on GoElectric or the EVolve tracker tariff, Smart Charging provides customers with off-peak rates for both their home and car beyond the standard off-peak window (12am-5am).

With Smart Charging, EDF estimates that customers can save up to an additional £239 per year, bringing the total potential savings with the GoElectric tariff to more than £700 a year.

Rich Hughes, director of retail at EDF, said: “We’re excited to modernise the way EV owners manage their charging needs, helping them maximise the benefits of their vehicle through automatic charging.”

Econ Engineering launches all electric trailer and new distributor

The Econ Electric Trailer Spreader is the latest addition to Econ Engineering’s zero emissions range, which aims to help operators reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining peak gritting performance.

It is the latest electric offering to be introduced by Econ, following the launch of its E-QCB (Electric – Quick Body Change) in 2023, a fully electric vehicle that can switch between a gritter, tipper and hotbox body in minutes.

The independently powered, fully electric trailer has a 1.5sqm hopper and up to 3,000kg gross mass.

The Electric Trailer Spreader is equipped with Econ’s new patented central rotating chute (CRC) distributor, the latest modification to be introduced to its gritters.

Working in conjunction with the latest generation of Spargo Control Systems, the new distributor provides a low, smooth throw of salt and a more accurate spreading pattern to reduce salt waste and ensure optimal road safety, says Econ. 

The CRC Distributor is available as an option on all Econ’s gritter vehicles.

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ Engineering, said: “Our talented teams have worked hard to find solutions that will make gritting easier and greener, and we are delighted to be able to launch two new products that do just that.”

Econ, which has been established for more than 55 years, has its main manufacturing base in Ripon, with engineering hubs in Alloa, Scotland, Sowerby, Thirsk, Halesworth, Suffolk and Cardiff, Wales.

Zest joins forces with Allstar

Zest has announced a new partnership with Allstar, to bring its growing national network of EV chargers into the Allstar network.

The partnership adds more than 1,300 charging spaces for fleet drivers to access through the Allstar Co-Pilot app.

In time customers will also be able to pay for charging at Zest sites with the Allstar Chargepass card, a single combined electric charging and fuel payment card.

Zest’s network includes fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid charge points in key urban and regional locations.

With a large proportion of chargers in car parks, destinations and residential streets, this partnership is designed to support real-world charging needs for modern fleet operations.

“Today we welcome Allstar fleet drivers to the Zest network,” said Robin Heap, CEO of Zest. “Fleet electrification is a cornerstone of the UK’s net zero transition. By making our chargers available through Allstar, we’re making it easier for drivers to plug in wherever they are - whether that’s a city centre, a business park, or close to home.”

Tom Rowlands, MD of Global EV Solutions at Corpay, including UK brand Allstar, added: “This collaboration underscores our dedication to offering fleet customers seamless access to a payment solution for reliable and fast charging options, essential for the evolving needs of modern businesses.”