Basingstoke: InstaVolt installs its 200th rapid charger for electric vehicles

In the race to ensure the UK is prepared for an increasing number of electric vehicles, one private firm has installed 200 rapid chargers in a year. InstaVolt has installed its 200th rapid charger, having put its first unit in the ground in Devon just over 12 months ago.

Since then, the Basingstoke company has become one of the biggest brands in public charging, and recently topped user satisfaction rankings for electric charging networks in the country that can be used by multiple models of EVs. Its popular ‘tap to pay’ chargers, which can be used with just a contactless payment card and without the need to first register for an account, can be found at petrol forecourts, Bannatyne Health Clubs and an increasing number of leisure and retail centres across the country.

CEO Tim Payne says the speed at which InstaVolt has reached the 200 milestone, and results of the Zap-map driver survey, is proof that well capitalised private firms are leading the charge when it comes to expanding the UK’s public charging infrastructure.

He said: “We are delighted to have reached this landmark in such a short time and it’s a credit to the team here and our stakeholders and partners who also do a terrific job. Our 200th station has been installed at Locks Heath Shopping Village in Hampshire. Retail sites are an ideal location for our rapid chargers as they offer drivers an easily accessible location with plenty of amenities, and are a natural fit with dwell times that match typical charging sessions.”

Locks Heath Shopping Village is located just off the M27 junction 9 - an ideal location with big brand names like Waitrose, Costa Coffee and Iceland together with a range of independent outlets.

Payne continued: “At a time when the government is under pressure to ban the sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2032, bringing forward its original date by eight years, the need for reliable public charging infrastructure is greater than ever. Drivers will only feel ready to transition to EV’s when they have confidence in the public charging infrastructure. This means providing a network with the highest level of reliability and customer service. The private sector is perfectly aligned with customer needs in this regard, as I believe the most reliable and accessible network will quickly become the most popular with drivers. We’re proud that drivers have recognised our efforts in the latest Zap-map survey.”

There are currently 10,888 public chargers in the UK. The majority of these are slow chargers which can take many hours to fully recharge a vehicle. Only 1,823 public chargers are rapid chargers, requiring just minutes to add significant range. InstaVolt believes that rapid charging will quickly become the principal means of public charging.

Payne concluded: “In order for drivers to drive an EV in the same way that they are used to driving a conventional vehicle, they need to be able to recharge quickly and continue their journey. By using the InstaVolt network of rapid chargers drivers can be confident of a reliable experience, and being back on the road in minutes.”