Electric car charging giant Gridserve has launched a new app – and, to mark its launch, it is offering EV drivers 20% off charging throughout summer 2024.

The new Gridserve smartphone app is available through the Apple App Store or Google Play. It helps users find, pay and monitor EV charging sessions.

Until 1 October 2024, anyone paying for EV charging through the new app will automatically receive the 20% saving.

Gridserve says it can be used at more than 190 locations, including its Electric Forecourts, motorway Electric Super Hubs, and Electric Retail Hubs at locations such as Dobbies garden centres.

Rebecca Trebble, Gridserve’s chief customer experience officer, said 200,000 charging sessions are recorded on the Gridserve network every month and “the new app will make those charging sessions even easier.

“We have listened to our users and made it easier to receive receipts too.” Following the end of a charging session, receipts are automatically emailed to users, along with a charging summary.

Up to 12 previous charging sessions can also be stored on a user’s account.

Gridserve adds it is stepping up its roll-out of high power chargers across the UK, with more than 160 of its 190-plus sites now having ultra-fast chargers.

The electric car charging network boasts more than 1,400 charging bays across the country.

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Sainsbury’s electric car rapid charging service Smart Charge has become the first EV charging network in the UK to offer a loyalty scheme.

Smart Charge customers with Nectar accounts will be able to collect points, at a rate of 1 Nectar point for every £1 spent on EV charging.

Nectar is the largest multi-partner loyalty scheme in the UK, allowing customers to spend points at Sainsbury’s, Argos, British Airways and others.

Sainsbury’s Smart Charge launched in January 2024. It is an ultra-rapid EV charging network with more than 400 charging bays and counting.

It doesn’t require a subscription or an app, and offers contactless payment.

Notably, Smart Charge is the only fully owned and managed EV charging business from a UK supermarket.

The food retailer now has 50 Smart Charge EV charging locations, with the latest to open being a 12-bay site at Sainsbury’s London Enfield superstore, just off the A10.

Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures, Patrick Dunne, said becoming the first EV charging provider to offer a loyalty scheme was a huge milestone. “Customers using any of our 400 Smart Charge bays across the country will now be able to benefit from collecting Nectar points.

“With bays in more locations than ever before, it has never been easier for EV drivers to access ultra-rapid facilities – and now they can reap the benefit of Nectar points too.”

How to collect Nectar points at Sainsbury’s Smart Charge EV chargers

Because it doesn’t require an app, collecting Nectar points at Smart Charge EV chargers is a more manual affair.

Once owners have tapped to pay via contactless payment, and plugged in their car, a ‘follow on mobile’ QR code appears on the charger screen.

Once scanned, an ‘add Nectar card number’ button will appear, followed by an ‘enter your Nectar card number’ window.

EV owners then type in their Nectar card number – which is a bit of a long-winded affair, but will see the points added.

Smart Charge has a top tip to save time here, too: if you have the Nectar app, tap the card icon and you’ll be able to copy and paste your number.

We’re sure the process will become easier with time – perhaps with a Smart Charge app, or integration into the Nectar app?

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Ferrari has launched two new extended warranties for those who buy – or already own – one of its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) supercars. 

The cover is intended to provide extra peace of mind for those choosing a car from the famous Italian marque. 

Offered for various Ferrari models, from the 296 GTS (pictured above) to the extreme SF90 XX Stradale, the extended warranties are in addition to the standard five-year cover provided on hybrid components.

Dedicated to hybrid Ferraris

The two new warranty programmes, named ‘Warranty Extension Hybrid’ and ‘Power Hybrid’, can be purchased through the Ferrari dealer network.

Owners can choose warranties in renewable two to four year packages, which can be transferred when their Ferrari is sold. 

Even cars outside of the existing four-year standard factory warranty period are eligible to upgrade, following a technical inspection by a Ferrari dealer.

Opting for the Warranty Extension Hybrid programme means Ferrari will cover the electrified powertrain for up to eight years. 

Choosing the maximum eight-year period also means Ferrari will replace the high-voltage battery pack (HVB) at no extra cost.

Cover for up to sixteen years

Choosing the Power Hybrid warranty lets owners extend cover to include all major elements of the car’s powertrain.

This comprehensive warranty spans from years eight to sixteen of the car’s life, and sees another HVB replacement included at no additional cost. 

Ferrari has also committed to future-proofing owners against developments in battery technology. The company will guarantee that any replacement HVBs will be a brand new component, able to match the performance of the original factory item.

Both the new warranty packages are available to buy from Ferrari dealers now.

Nick English, who co-founded luxury brand Bremont Watches with his brother Giles, has been appointed executive chairman of heritage automotive brand MOKE International.

English will spearhead a major growth phase for MOKE, which has already sold 500 vehicles to date, and is now in talks with strategic partners and investors.

His appointment is effective immediately, as current CEO Isobel Dando steps away from her role.

“Hiring Nick is a real coup for MOKE,” she said. “He is passionate about British engineering – be it flying planes, making watches or driving cars – and, as a serial entrepreneur, I believe he has exactly what we need to further develop the business.”

MOKE International owns the original 1964 European MOKE trademark; the famous Mini MOKE was conceived in the early 1960s as a military utility vehicle by Austin Mini designer Sir Alec Issigonis.

In 2023, an Electric MOKE was launched, helping the firm become the first heritage automotive brand to go 100% electric.

The cars are built in Northamptonshire – “just miles away from where the original MOKEs were built in the 1960s” – and the firm currently has a wating list of around 800 orders, which is worth $25m.

Pivotal time

English says he is joining MOKE at a “pivotal time… I look forward to working with the talented team to build on its legacy, continue and grow the manufacturing of the cars in the UK, and explore new opportunities for innovation and expansion”.

Impressively, the Electric MOKE has already been homologated for use in both Europe and the USA, and the company now plans to take it even further afield.

In 2022, MOKE attracted a bid worth $120m for the business, but remains proudly independent, and has raised $35m of investment to date.

After handing over Bremont to new management as part of a strategic investment round that valued it at £100m, English will now use his experience in manufacturing and lifestyle brands to further develop MOKE.

He will remain a board director of Bremont.