Why some supermarkets offer free charging while others charge for it

Charging your car while you shop makes the most of a time when your car would be parked anyway. However, the fact that a retailer provides a charging point does not mean it always covers the cost of the electricity.

Each company can choose its own approach: offer a free charging period, charge for the electricity used or give customers a discount.

What's more, the conditions may vary between charging points within the same network. Rather than simply searching for 'supermarkets with free chargers', it's worth checking the terms and conditions of the specific charging point you plan to use.

Examples of charging options at supermarkets and shopping centres in 2026

Examples from some of the major retail chains give you an idea of the different options available when charging your car while you shop.

Lidl: limited free charging

Lidl offers charging stations at some of its stores and lets customers use them free of charge for 30 minutes while they shop. You don't need a bank card or an RFID card to enjoy this free charging period.

Different types of connector may also be available, depending on the store.

This is a clear example of free charging based on the time you spend at the store: you can make the most of your shopping trip while topping up your battery.

Carrefour: paid charging with benefits for members

Carrefour has rapid and ultra-rapid charging points available at its stores. In this case, charging is not free, and you can pay directly at the charging station by bank card without registering in advance.

In addition, El Club Carrefour members receive 8% of the amount they spend on charging as credit towards their ChequeAhorro savings voucher, subject to the terms and conditions published by the company.

The benefit here, therefore, is not free charging but a reward linked to the charging session.

IKEA: paid charging with discounts for members

IKEA also allows customers to charge their car in the car park while they visit the store. Its rapid charging points are managed by ACCIONA, and charging can be started using a QR code or the provider's app.

Members of IKEA Family and the IKEA Business Network receive a 15% discount on EV charging sessions in IKEA car parks, provided the chargers are covered by the promotion.

This is a different approach: while charging comes at a cost, certain customers can benefit from a discount.

Shopping centres: free parking doesn't mean free charging

This distinction is particularly important when you visit a shopping centre.

Being able to park for free does not mean the electricity you use to charge your car is also free of charge. Parking and charging are separate services, and each may have its own terms and conditions.

You may find a free car park with paid charging points, a charging promotion for customers or charging points operated by a third-party provider.

That's why, before you plug in your car, it's best to check the terms and conditions for both the car park and the charging point.

What charging options are available while you shop?

Not all chargers are designed for the same type of stop.

At a supermarket or shopping centre, you may find semi-rapid, rapid or ultra-rapid charging points. The charging power available, together with your vehicle's characteristics, determines how much energy you can top up while your car is parked.

If you are going to spend several hours shopping or having a meal, a lower-powered charging point may be sufficient. If you're only stopping briefly, a rapid charger may be a better option.

Before choosing a charger, consider how long you'll be there and how much power your car can handle.

How to check whether a charger is free before you arrive

The most practical approach is to check the charging point details before you set off. That way, you'll avoid arriving at the car park only to discover that charging is subject to a fee, that there's a time limit or that the connector isn't compatible with your car.

These are the details worth checking:

• Charging price.
• Free charging period, if any.
• Terms of use, such as making a purchase or being a member of a customer loyalty programme.
• Available power.
• Connector type.
• Charger availability.

Endesa's charging point map lets you check this information and compare different alternatives before you set off. For each charging point, you'll see details such as charging power, connector type, charger status and price.

Check prices and availability on Endesa's official map

If you're looking for a charger near a supermarket, shopping centre or any other location, Endesa's charging point map will help you find different options.

You can filter by charging power and connector type, as well as check availability and prices before you arrive. You can also check whether a charging point can be booked in advance.

This is particularly useful if you're planning to charge your car while you do your shopping. You can first check nearby chargers and choose the one that best fits the amount of time you expect to be parked.

How to check a charger using Endesa On Your Way

You can also manage all this through Endesa On Your Way, Endesa's app for public EV charging.

The app allows you to find charging points, check real-time availability, plan routes, book a charger and manage payments from your mobile.

You can also check the cost of charging at a specific point in advance. That way, if you're planning to stop at a supermarket or shopping centre, you can decide whether it's a suitable option before you arrive.

Why you'll find Endesa chargers at supermarkets and shopping centres

Their location is no coincidence.

Supermarkets, shopping centres, hotels and restaurants are places where cars tend to remain parked for a while. Installing charging infrastructure at these locations allows drivers to top up their batteries while parked, without making a separate trip to a charging hub.

Endesa works with businesses and retailers that have suitable locations to expand its public charging network and bring charging facilities closer to places people regularly visit in their everyday lives.

What does it mean when a supermarket has Endesa chargers?

One point is worth clarifying: Endesa chargers aren't necessarily free to use.

Endesa uses the Host ('Anfitrión') approach, which allows businesses with suitable locations and available power capacity to add charging points to the company's public network. Endesa designs, installs and commissions these charging points. It also operates and maintains the infrastructure and integrates it into its charging platform.

This approach is also present at retail stores. For example, Endesa has announced an agreement with Carrefour to provide charging points for its customers.

So, it's important to know not just who operates the charger, but also the terms and conditions for that specific charging point. If you find an Endesa charger in a supermarket car park, you can check its availability, charging power and price in Endesa On Your Way before you arrive.

How long can you charge for free?

There is no standard free charging period that applies to all supermarkets and shopping centres.

When a promotion is available, the free charging period depends on the terms and conditions set by each retailer. Lidl, for example, offers 30 minutes of free charging while you shop.

In other cases, charging may be subject to a fee from the outset or available at a discounted rate.

So, if a charger advertises free charging, check how long the free period lasts and what conditions apply.

Do you have to make a purchase to use the charger?

Not necessarily. Just because a charger is located in the car park of a supermarket or shopping centre does not mean you have to purchase something in order to use it.

Some retailers do make free charging conditional on a purchase. Lidl, for example, offers 30 minutes of free charging while you shop.

In other cases, charging works as a separate service: you can use the charging point and pay for the electricity consumed without having to make a purchase as a condition of using the service.

So before you plug in your car, check the terms and conditions for that specific charging point, its time limit and how payment is made.

Do you need to be an Endesa customer to charge?

No. You can use Endesa On Your Way even if your electricity contract is with another supplier.

The app is designed to give you access to the public charging network, allow you to find charging points, check their availability and manage charging sessions.

You therefore don't need an Endesa electricity tariff to use a public charging point through the app.

Are free chargers slower?

Not necessarily.

Whether a charging point is free or not does not determine its charging power. You can find free chargers with different specifications, as well as paid semi-rapid, rapid and ultra-rapid charging points.

Charging speed depends on the power available and what your vehicle can handle.

This detail is particularly important if you're only spending half an hour at the supermarket: the price doesn't tell you how much charge you can gain in that time, but the charging power does.

How many kilometres can you add while you shop?

It depends on how much energy you can actually charge and on your vehicle's electricity consumption.

As a rule of thumb, given an energy consumption rate of 17.6 kWh per 100 kilometres, 10 kWh would add around 57 kilometres of theoretical range. With 20 kWh, you could add approximately 114 kilometres.

These figures are indicative only. Actual consumption depends on the car model, speed, type of journey and other factors.

That's why the same 30-minute charging session won't add the same number of kilometres to every vehicle's range.

Is it worth making a dedicated trip just to charge for free?

If the supermarket is already on your route, taking advantage of the stop can make a lot of sense. If you're going shopping anyway, you can top up your battery while you're there.

However, driving several kilometres out of your way just to charge for free is another matter. In that case, you should consider the time it takes to get there, whether the charger is available and how much energy you'll actually be able to recover.

For everyday use, it's also worth comparing this option with charging your electric car at home. Home charging is often more convenient if you have your own parking space, while public charging is particularly useful on longer journeys, when travelling or whenever you need to recover your vehicle's range away from home.

Free charging, paid public charging or charging at home: what to compare

There is no single way to charge your car. The most practical approach is to combine different options depending on the moment.

• Free charging: You can make the most of this offer when you're already planning to shop or spend some time at the store. Always check the time limit and terms and conditions.
• Paid public charging: This is useful when you need to charge away from home and don't want to rely on a promotion. The price depends on the charging point, the operator and the charging power.
• Home charging: This is a convenient option for regular charging, especially if you have your own parking space where you can leave your vehicle plugged in for several hours.

As Endesa explains in its comparison of home and public charging, charging at home typically costs less than using rapid or ultra-rapid public chargers, although the final cost depends on your electricity tariff and the type of public charger.

Can you be charged for parking even if charging is free?

Yes. Parking and charging are separate services. A retailer may offer a free charging period while still applying a parking fee.

The reverse is also possible: parking may be free, but charging may be subject to a fee.

So, if you're planning to leave your car there for several hours, check the parking conditions as well as those for the charger.

Can you leave your car parked after charging has finished?

You shouldn't assume that you can.

Charging bays are designed to make charging easier and may be subject to specific terms and conditions set by the retailer or operator.

Once your battery is fully charged, moving your car frees up the charging point for another driver. Some locations may also impose time limits or specific rules on how long vehicles can remain in charging bays.

Can you charge a plug-in hybrid too?

Yes, provided the vehicle is compatible with the connector and the charging point's specifications.

Plug-in hybrids can use public charging points, although their batteries usually have a lower capacity than those of fully electric cars.

Before you arrive, check the connector type and the maximum charging power your vehicle can handle so you know what to expect from the session.

Do you need to download an app?

It depends on the charger.

Some charging points allow you to start and pay for charging directly by bank card. Others require an app, a QR code or another form of identification.

Carrefour, for example, lets you pay directly by bank card at the charging point, without registering in advance.

At IKEA, you can start charging by scanning the charger's QR code or via the app provided by ACCIONA, as the service provider.

With Endesa On Your Way, you can find charging points on the public network, check their availability and manage charging sessions from your mobile.

Five things to check before you plug in your car

A charger in a car park can be a very convenient option, but these five details are worth checking before you plug in your car:

1.     Price.
Is charging free or subject to a fee?

2.     Time limit.
If free charging is available, how many minutes do you get?

3.     Terms and conditions.
Do you need to make a purchase, be a customer or use an app?

4.     Charging power and connector.
Are they compatible with your car and suitable for the amount of time you expect to be parked?

5.     Parking.
Is parking free? Is there a time limit? What happens when charging is complete?

The key point is simple: don't assume a charger is free just because it's located in the car park of a supermarket or shopping centre. The conditions depend on the retailer and the specific charging point.

To check your options before you set off, visit Endesa's charging point map or use Endesa On Your Way to find chargers and check their price, availability, charging power and connector type before you arrive.