Aldi’s biggest car park change in 2026 is a major expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging. Around 1,200 chargers at more than 250 stores are moving to Drax Electric Vehicles, and Aldi will add chargers at around 20 new stores every year. Fast charging costs 40p per kWh and rapid charging costs 62p per kWh. You can pay by contactless card with no subscription, or through the Charge Assist app. Separately, Aldi car parks are not all getting easier to use. Camera-based time limits and fines of £70 or more are still being rolled out at some stores.
What Exactly is Changing in Aldi Car Parks?
Aldi has not announced a rebuild of every car park. The headline change is about EV charging, and it is gradual. The supermarket confirmed the Drax partnership in June 2026. Drax will operate its charge point network and help install more facilities.
Here are the key points:
- Scale: Around 1,200 chargers at more than 250 stores are being transitioned to Drax Electric Vehicles.
- New sites: More than 30 stores have recently gained new charging facilities, including sites in Norfolk, Eastbourne, Durham and Yate near Bristol.
- Future growth: Aldi says it will add chargers at around 20 new stores a year.
- Payment: Drivers can check availability, view costs and pay through the Charge Assist app, or tap a contactless bank card on the new chargers.
The story was still being picked up by regional and national outlets in late July 2026. One report that month said Aldi is gradually rolling out the new amenities across the UK. So this is an ongoing programme, not a one-day announcement.
How Much Does it Cost to Charge at Aldi?
Aldi uses two price tiers, matched to the type of charger.
| Charger type | Price | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| AC fast charger (up to 22kW) | 40p per kWh | A longer shop or a top-up while you browse |
| DC rapid charger (up to 160kW) | 62p per kWh | A quick, higher-speed charge |
Aldi describes the pricing as affordable, and says drivers don’t need a subscription to any service. For comparison, a typical 60kWh battery filled from empty would cost about £24 on fast charging and about £37 on rapid charging. These are simple calculations from the published rates. Real sessions will vary with your car, its charging speed and the starting battery level.
Most drivers don’t charge from empty, and a car rarely accepts its maximum rate for the whole session. Treat these figures as a guide.
Also read: Why British SMEs Are Falling Behind on AI?
What Will New Aldi EV Charging Bays Look Like?
Aldi has set a standard layout for newly built stores. Each new site will have two AC fast chargers supporting four bays at up to 22kW, plus up to two DC rapid chargers supporting four bays at up to 160kW.
The mix reflects how people actually shop at Aldi. A weekly shop might take 40 minutes, so the slower, cheaper AC charger suits that visit. If you only pop in for a few items, the rapid charger adds range faster.
Existing stores won’t necessarily match this layout. Some sites are taking over the old network, so the number and speed of chargers will depend on the store.
Why is Aldi Doing This?
Aldi’s own explanation is accessibility. Jonathan Neale, Aldi UK’s managing director of national real estate, said the company wants to make sustainable choices more accessible, and that many customers are looking for affordable, reliable and convenient ways to charge.
The timing also fits the wider market. There are now more than 121,000 public EV chargers across the UK at 46,664 locations. Supermarkets are a natural fit for charging because drivers are already parked there for a while. The government’s stated aim of ending new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 adds further pressure on retailers to provide chargers.
Drax sees it the same way. Adam Hall, its energy services director, said the move shows the energy transition is integral to the retail sector.
Aldi is also Growing its Store Network
The charging news sits alongside wider expansion. Aldi has more than 1,050 UK stores, and recently confirmed a £40 million investment in eight new London stores, alongside refurbishments.
New builds often include EV provision from day one. A planning document for a new store in Litherland, Merseyside, for example, described 123 parking spaces including four EV charging points, with underground infrastructure to add a further 20 in future. That shows how Aldi designs new car parks so more chargers can be added later without digging them up again.
The Other Side of the Story: Parking Time Limits and Fines
Not every car park change is good news for shoppers. Many Aldi stores restrict how long you can stay, and cameras enforce it.
Recent local reports show the pattern:
- Fareham, Hampshire: A sign said a camera-controlled system would be installed, with a one-and-a-half-hour limit. Customers would need to enter their registration at an in-store touch screen to avoid a £70 fine. The same report said Parkingeye operates cameras at 550 Aldi freehold stores nationwide.
- Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: In July 2026, a number plate recognition camera was installed at a retail park containing an Aldi and a Costa Coffee. Parkingeye signs warn of a £100 fine for exceeding a two-hour limit. That is a retail park policy, so check the signs where you park.
Aldi’s usual explanation is space. At one Lancashire store, it said the limit is meant to ensure enough spaces for shoppers throughout the day. It has also said it receives no revenue from these parking measures.
Fines are not automatic in every case. In a widely reported earlier example, Aldi cancelled a £70 charge for a disabled shopper who overstayed by 12 minutes. Aldi has also said it will look into fines customers believe were issued in error. If you get a charge you think is unfair, appeal promptly and keep your receipt as evidence.
What should EV drivers and shoppers do now?
If you drive an electric car:
- Check the Charge Assist app for availability and pricing before you go. Rollout is uneven, so not every store has chargers yet.
- Carry a contactless card, since no subscription is needed.
- Read the signs for any limit on charging time or on parking in charging bays.
If you drive a petrol or diesel car:
- Look for time-limit signs at the entrance.
- If there is a touch screen, enter your registration. This is needed at some stores, such as Fareham.
- Don’t park in charging bays unless you are charging. Bays are for charging only, and misuse can lead to a charge.
The Bottom Line
Aldi’s car park upgrades are real but uneven. EV drivers are the clear winners, with a bigger network, simple contactless payment and published prices. Everyone else should treat the car park as a place with rules, because camera enforcement is spreading. Check the signs, enter your registration where asked, and keep your receipt.
FAQ
Q. Which company runs Aldi’s EV chargers?
A. Drax Electric Vehicles now operates the network. Around 1,200 chargers at more than 250 stores are moving across.
Q. How much does Aldi EV charging cost?
Q. 40p per kWh for fast charging and 62p per kWh for rapid charging, at the time of the announcement. Prices can change, so check the app.
Q. Do I need an app to charge?
A. No. The Charge Assist app is optional. You can pay by contactless card.
Q. How many new Aldi stores will get chargers?
A. About 20 new stores a year, added to the existing network.
Q. Do all Aldi stores have EV charging?
A. No. More than 250 stores are covered by the network, but Aldi has more than 1,050 UK stores. Check the app or store signs first.
Q. Do Aldi car parks have time limits?
A. Many do, typically 90 minutes to two hours, and some are camera-enforced. Limits vary by store and landowner.
Sources
- Aldi confirms major car park changes to hundreds of its stores around the UK – GB News
- Aldi confirms major new change to its car parks – AOL
- Major supermarket Aldi in Fareham to introduce new ANPR parking system in coming weeks – Portsmouth News
- EXCLUSIVE: Bid to stop ‘parking abuse’ sees camera installed at Aldi and Costa Coffee site – Punchline Gloucester
- Aldi introduces car park time limit and Parking Eye cameras at Buckshaw Village store – Lancashire Evening Post
