Customers at Metro and other Metro Inc.-affiliated stores across Ontario and Quebec will soon be able to charge their electric vehicles while they charge.

FLO, a North American electric vehicle charging solutions provider, has announced a partnership with Metro Inc. to install fast charging at more than 130 stores.

The initiative will result in at least 500 fast charging ports being installed at Metro, Super C, Food Basics and Marché Adonis, starting in August.

“This partnership is about integrating the best EV charging experience into daily life and making it as routine as grocery shopping,” said Louis Tremblay, FLO president and CEO, in a news release. “Making public charging options widely available is key for Canada to achieve its environmental goals and transition to an emission-free transportation sector. By establishing fast charging stations at more than 130 grocery stores across Quebec and Ontario, we’re laying the groundwork to accelerate the transition.”

“Metro is committed to adopting short-term, science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for its direct and indirect emissions,” said Michel Avigliano, vice president, real estate and engineering, Metro, in the release. “Through this partnership, we are taking action to reduce our indirect emissions linked to the transport of our customers, while contributing to the collective effort of transition towards a more low-carbon economy.”

The 130 grocery stores will feature dual-port FLO Ultra fast chargers. The company says these will charge most new EVs to 80 per cent in 15 minutes.

FLO said a “significant” number of these installations are supported by the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), which committed to spending $235 million with FLO to bring more than 1,900 public fast charging ports across Canada by 2027.

“The CIB is investing in critical EV infrastructure which meets drivers’ needs for the future, in communities big and small, across the country. Grocery stores are essential for our daily necessities and thriving communities. By combining high speed charging options for EV drivers in the places they frequent the most, we are moving closer to ending EV owners’ range anxiety,” said CIB CEO Ehren Cory in the release.