Aldi car park upgrades are being rolled out across the UK as the supermarket expands and modernises its electric vehicle charging network. For drivers in Preston, the changes could make it easier to combine the weekly food shop with charging an electric car, although customers should check the facilities available at their individual branch before travelling.
Aldi has moved around 1,200 existing electric vehicle chargers at more than 250 UK stores onto a network operated by Drax Electric Vehicles. New charging facilities have also been installed at more than 30 locations, while Aldi plans to introduce chargers at around 20 new stores every year.
For Preston shoppers, however, there is an important distinction: the national announcement does not currently identify individual Preston Aldi branches among the specifically named new installations. That means motorists should not assume every Aldi car park in Preston already has the latest charging equipment.
What Are the New Aldi Car Park Upgrades?
The main change centres on electric vehicle charging rather than a wholesale rebuilding of every Aldi car park.
Aldi has partnered with Drax Electric Vehicles to operate and expand its charging network. The supermarket says the programme is intended to make charging more convenient for drivers who can plug in while completing their shopping.
The key changes include:
- Around 1,200 EV chargers moving onto the Drax network
- More than 250 Aldi stores covered by the wider charging network
- New charging infrastructure already introduced at more than 30 stores
- Fast and rapid charging options at newly built Aldi stores
- Contactless card payment on newly installed chargers
- Charging information through the Charge Assist app
- Further charger installations planned at approximately 20 new Aldi stores each year
The scale of the programme makes this more than a small trial. EV charging is increasingly becoming part of Aldi’s normal approach to new-store car park design.
Are Aldi Car Parks in Preston Being Upgraded?
Preston has several Aldi stores serving different parts of the city, so local interest in the upgrades is understandable.
However, Aldi’s announcement about its new Drax partnership names examples including Diss, Eastbourne, Durham and Yate rather than providing a complete store-by-store list covering every town.
As a result, Preston motorists should check their chosen store before relying on EV charging being available.
This is particularly important because facilities can vary considerably between Aldi branches. One location might provide parking and EV charging while another may provide ordinary customer parking without charging points.
Anyone planning a supermarket visit can also check our guide to Aldi opening times in Preston before setting off, particularly on Sundays, bank holidays or during the festive period.
Which Preston Aldi Stores Should Drivers Check?
There are several Aldi locations in and around Preston, including stores serving areas such as Blackpool Road, Queens Shopping Park, Port Way and Fulwood.
Rather than assuming that every location has been upgraded simultaneously, drivers should check the facilities listed for the particular branch they intend to visit.
This matters because the national EV programme is being expanded progressively. A store without the newest equipment today could potentially receive additional charging infrastructure later as Aldi continues investing in its estate.
For Preston drivers, the best approach is therefore to check three things before travelling:
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
| EV charging availability | Not every Aldi necessarily offers charging |
| Charger speed | Fast and rapid chargers provide very different charging rates |
| Car park restrictions | Charging does not necessarily remove normal parking rules |
| Store opening hours | Parking or charging access may be linked to operating hours |
| Charger availability | Individual bays may already be occupied |
This local information is particularly useful for drivers who are planning their journey around charging rather than simply treating it as an optional extra.
How Fast Are the New Aldi EV Chargers?
One of the most useful parts of Aldi’s car park upgrades is the planned combination of fast and rapid EV chargers.
Newly built Aldi stores are expected to provide two AC fast chargers capable of serving four bays at speeds of up to 22kW, alongside up to two DC rapid chargers capable of serving four bays at speeds of up to 160kW.
The difference can be significant.
AC Fast Charging Up to 22kW
Fast charging is suitable for drivers who are happy to add some additional range while carrying out their normal shop.
Actual charging speed will depend on the vehicle, battery condition and maximum AC charging capability of the car.
DC Rapid Charging Up to 160kW
Rapid charging is aimed at drivers wanting to add considerably more energy over a shorter period.
A vehicle must support compatible DC rapid charging to take full advantage of the highest available rate. A charger capable of 160kW does not mean every electric car will automatically charge at 160kW.
That distinction is often missed in shorter reports about the Aldi car park upgrades.
How Much Does Aldi EV Charging Cost in 2026?
Aldi’s announced pricing is:
| Charging Type | Maximum Advertised Speed | Price |
| Fast AC charging | Up to 22kW | 40p per kWh |
| Rapid DC charging | Up to 160kW | 62p per kWh |
These are the prices announced as part of the Drax partnership in June 2026.
For example, adding 20kWh of electricity would cost approximately £8 at the 40p rate or £12.40 at the 62p rapid rate, assuming the full 20kWh was charged at that tariff.
Drivers should still check the charger before starting a session because prices can change over time.
How Do Drivers Pay at the Upgraded Aldi Chargers?
Aldi has attempted to make payment relatively straightforward.
Customers using the newly installed chargers can pay by contactless card, meaning there is no requirement to take out a subscription simply to use the equipment.
The Charge Assist app can also be used to check charger information, including availability and charging costs.
For occasional EV users, contactless payment is likely to be particularly convenient because it removes the need to register for yet another charging service before starting a supermarket shop.
Do Aldi Parking Restrictions Still Apply While Charging?
This is one of the most important points for Preston drivers.
Using an EV charging point should not be treated as automatic permission to remain in an Aldi car park indefinitely.
Private car parks can have maximum-stay periods, restrictions outside store opening times or separate rules applying to particular bays.
Recent UK reporting has highlighted cases where drivers using EV chargers received parking charges because the rules governing the car park were different from the availability shown for the charger itself.
Before leaving the vehicle, drivers should therefore check signs covering:
- Maximum parking duration
- Restrictions outside supermarket opening hours
- Rules specifically applying to EV bays
- Whether vehicle registration is required
- Any terms imposed by the site’s parking operator
The presence of a working charger does not necessarily mean the surrounding car park is available without restriction 24 hours a day.
This practical distinction is especially important for drivers who might arrive late at night simply because a charging app indicates that a charger is operational.
Will the Aldi Car Park Upgrades Reduce Normal Parking Spaces?
There is no single answer for every Aldi store.
EV infrastructure normally requires dedicated charging bays, but Aldi car park layouts differ considerably from location to location. New stores can have charging incorporated into the original design, while established sites may require existing areas to be adapted.
Elsewhere in the UK, Aldi planning proposals show that car park improvement projects can include additional spaces, redesigned vehicle routes, accessible bays, parent-and-child spaces, landscaping and dedicated EV charging bays.
That does not mean identical alterations are planned for Preston stores.
Any significant physical redevelopment of an individual Preston site would depend on the property, available land and, where necessary, the relevant planning process.
Why Is Aldi Investing in EV Charging?
The move reflects the changing way supermarket car parks are being used.
A weekly supermarket visit creates a natural period in which a vehicle remains stationary, making grocery-store car parks suitable locations for destination charging.
Instead of making a separate journey to a charging station, an EV driver can potentially add range while buying groceries.
Aldi has also been making broader changes intended to reduce emissions from its operations, including renewable electricity purchases, solar installations and greater use of electric vehicles within its company fleet.
For supermarkets, better charging infrastructure could therefore serve two purposes: providing another customer facility while preparing car parks for the continued growth of electric vehicles.
What Do the Upgrades Mean for Preston Shoppers Without an Electric Car?
The changes are primarily aimed at EV drivers, but they could have implications for everyone using Aldi car parks.
Dedicated EV spaces may change the arrangement of some parking areas, while new equipment can result in temporary construction or restrictions when installations take place.
In newly designed stores, clearer pedestrian routes, accessible parking and better-defined parking areas can also form part of wider car park planning.
For most shoppers, however, the everyday experience should remain familiar: arrive, park, shop and leave within the site’s permitted parking period.
The biggest difference is that a growing number of customers may also be charging their vehicle while they are inside the supermarket.
How Can Preston Drivers Check Whether Their Aldi Has EV Charging?
The safest option is to check the individual store’s current facilities rather than relying on an old article or assuming the national rollout includes every branch.
Aldi’s store finder allows shoppers to filter locations by services including Electric Vehicle Charging Points.
Drivers can also check the Charge Assist service where relevant and inspect the car park signage when they arrive.
This is worth doing even if the driver has charged at the same location previously. Charging operators, tariffs, parking restrictions and available equipment can change.
Could More Preston Aldi Stores Get Chargers?
Quite possibly, although individual future Preston installations should not be treated as confirmed until Aldi or the relevant site announces them.
Aldi says it intends to install chargers at approximately 20 new stores each year, and the company is continuing to expand its supermarket estate.
Newly built locations are particularly significant because Aldi says its new stores will include a combination of fast and rapid charging.
That means EV infrastructure is likely to become increasingly common across Aldi’s UK estate, even though rollout schedules will vary by location.
For Preston, future installations could make supermarket car parks increasingly useful as everyday charging destinations, particularly for people who do not have convenient charging facilities at home.
What Should Preston Drivers Remember Before Using an Aldi Charger?
The new Aldi car park upgrades provide a useful additional option for electric vehicle owners, but a little preparation can prevent inconvenience.
Check whether the chosen Preston branch actually lists EV charging, confirm the charging tariff and make sure the vehicle supports the available charging speed.
Most importantly, read the parking signs separately from the EV charger instructions.
A charging session and permission to park are not necessarily the same thing.
Conclusion
The Aldi car park upgrades represent a substantial expansion and modernisation of the supermarket’s UK electric vehicle charging network.
Around 1,200 chargers at more than 250 stores have moved onto the Drax network, with further charging facilities being added and new Aldi stores expected to offer both fast and rapid charging.
Customers can pay by contactless card at newly installed chargers, while announced charging prices start at 40p per kWh for fast charging and 62p per kWh for rapid charging.
For Preston motorists, the key point is not to assume that every local Aldi has received the same upgrade. Facilities should be checked branch by branch, and drivers should always pay attention to the car park’s own time limits and conditions.
As Aldi continues expanding the network, however, charging an electric car while doing the weekly shop could become an increasingly normal part of visiting supermarkets across Preston.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Aldi car park upgrades?
The main national upgrade involves Aldi’s electric vehicle charging network. Around 1,200 chargers at more than 250 stores have transitioned to Drax Electric Vehicles, alongside new charger installations and further expansion plans.
Does every Aldi in Preston have an EV charger?
No assumption should be made that every Preston Aldi currently has the latest EV charging equipment. Customers should check the facilities listed for their chosen branch before travelling.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at Aldi?
Aldi announced prices of 40p per kWh for fast charging and 62p per kWh for rapid charging as part of its 2026 Drax partnership.
How fast are the new Aldi chargers?
New Aldi stores are expected to have AC fast charging at up to 22kW and DC rapid charging at up to 160kW, although the actual charging rate depends on the vehicle.
Can drivers pay contactless at Aldi EV chargers?
Yes. Newly installed chargers support contactless card payments, while the Charge Assist app can also be used to view charger information and make payments.
Can a car stay in an Aldi car park until it finishes charging?
Not necessarily. Drivers must comply with the individual car park’s parking restrictions even when using an EV charger. Always check maximum-stay times and other conditions displayed at the site.
Will Aldi install more EV chargers?
Yes. Aldi has said it plans to install EV chargers at around 20 new stores per year as its network continues to expand.
