A free to use charge point for electric cars is being trialled at a Tesco in Beckenham.

The two-month pilot is being run by Pod Point. The 7kw electric vehicle (EV) charging points will also be trialed in Crawley, Slough and Watford.

A survey of Tesco customers found 84 per cent wanted electric vehicle charging to be available at the retailer’s stores.

Free charging may become a permanent fixture at Tesco if the trial goes well.

Erik Fairbairn, CEO of Pod Point, said: “As more drivers make the switch to EVs, we’re delighted to have launched this pilot, which gives EV drivers more options for charging up while they’re on the move.

“With public charging, we believe offering a combination of free fast-charging and affordable rapid charging is the best way to meet EV drivers’ diverse requirements and we’re excited to see if the way EV drivers use these chargers is in line with our expectations.”

There is a growing market for EV’s in the UK and the government are planning to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040.

A lack of infrastructure is cited as one of the reasons stopping people from buying EVs.