Chain store plugs in to electric cars

By Will McManus

12th June 2009

Soon, toasters, kettles and TVs won’t be the only electrical goods available to buy on the high street.Retailer Comet says you’ll be able to snap up a new electric car off the shelves, too!

Company boss Hugh Harvey announced last week that the chain is considering selling plug-in cars once more models have made it on to the market. And to prove that it’s serious about backing battery-powered vehicles, the firm has already started installing charging points in its car parks.

It wouldn’t be the first time Comet has stocked electric cars. It tested the water two decades ago with the single-seater Sinclair C5, which famously flopped when it was launched in 1985.

The first of the retailer’s new Plug & Go charging units is being trialled at its superstore in Croydon, Surrey. If successful, the free scheme for EV owners could be rolled out to all UK branches.

And Comet isn’t the only high street retailer getting ready to introduced electric car charging points. Supermarket chain Tesco says it hopes to set up a similar trial at its in Kennington and Kensington stores in London. It is currently waiting for approval from the local authorities involved.

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