More big names help plug electric charger campaign
Well-known figures are backing a Bath campaigner who is trying to get Sainsbury’s to install more electric car charging points.
Sue Peachey has called for the retail giant to install electric vehicle charging points in all of its store car parks in Bath and North East Somerset by 2025.
Ms Peachey, of Batheaston, already had the support of North East Somerset MP Jacob Reesmogg but has now gained another champion in Jackie Weaver, the Handforth Parish Council clerk who became an internet star when a rowdy meeting went viral earlier this year, as well as BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham.
In a Zoom meeting Ms Weaver lent her support to Ms Peachey’s campaign calling on Sainsbury’s to install more charging points at their stores in her local area.
Ms Weaver told her: “You have the authority here!”
Ms Peachey, 57, a retirement apartment manager, said previously: “I am an electric car owner and there are not enough charging points around Bath. We need to give people confidence of the charging situation to encourage
more people to switch over.”
An online petition has been launched with the aim of getting 300 signatures. At the time of writing 368 have signed.
Sainsbury’s has said it has “ambitious plans” to increase charging points.
Ms Peachey also appears in a documentary called The People Vs Climate Change, recently launched on BBC iplayer, that tracks her journey from being relatively disengaged from the climate debate into a “net zero hero”.
Through participating in the Climate Assembly, Ms Peachey was inspired to make lifestyle changes which included joining the local parish council to push green issues and buying an electric vehicle.
Ms Weaver said: “Sue’s transformation from everyday citizen to eco-ambassador is an inspiration to those in the country who want to speak up about issues that mean a lot to them but are too put off by the uphill struggle of getting heard.
“As an electric car driver myself, I think the campaign to get big stores like Sainsbury’s to install more chargers is an incredibly important one and I’m invested in helping Sue pin the store down and persuade them to act on their commitments. As we battle against the climate crisis, we need more people like Sue across the country to stand up and realise they do have the authority to effect positive change in the world.”
Ms Peachey said: “I was over the moon to meet Jackie and receive her backing for my campaign.
“It was only recently, after my time in the Climate Assembly, that I realised the extent of the global emergency we find ourselves in.
“I hope Sainsbury’s, and other big companies like them, will start to sit up and take notice of what local communities like mine are saying. We, the people, have the authority after all! I look forward to Sainsbury’s setting a firm date for meeting with me.”
Mr Rees-mogg, who met Ms Peachey at Sainsbury’s Batheaston branch last month, said: “I think your campaign is so important. Clean cars should be welcome.”
Sue’s campaign has also been backed by Mr Packham who tweeted: “I’m behind you Sue.”
Sue’s campaign continues as she meets MPS and ministers to mark the anniversary of the Climate Assembly and joins stars like Billie Eilish, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran at the Global Citizens climate concert next month where she will introduce a screening of The People Vs Climate Change documentary.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said previously: “We’re actively encouraging our customers to make choices which are better for the planet and we are committed to playing our part to tackle the global climate crisis.
“We are also proud to be working with the government on this as the Principal Supermarket Partner for COP 26 in Glasgow in November.
“We understand many of our customers want to use electric vehicle charging points and we have 100 available at our stores.
“We have ambitious plans for our next generation charging points and we’re contacting Sue and Mr Rees-mogg to reassure of them of this and we will keep them, our colleagues and customers updated.”
Sainsbury’s has been approached for further comment.