InstaVolt is investing in battery storage technology to reduce EV charging costs and protect drivers from sudden energy price increases.
The UK public charging operator has announced a £2.5 million investment in five new battery energy storage system sites. In addition, the company plans to add 20 more sites before the end of the year as it expands its charging infrastructure strategy.
EV charging costs targeted through battery storage
InstaVolt says the new battery systems will help drivers save money when charging in public.
The batteries charge overnight when electricity is cheaper. Then, they release power during busy daytime periods when demand and grid prices are higher.
As a result, InstaVolt can reduce its exposure to peak electricity costs. More importantly, the company says it will pass those savings on to EV drivers.
Chief executive Delvin Lane said battery storage gives the company a powerful way to deploy chargers faster and more affordably. He added that passing savings to consumers is not the easiest option, but it is the right one.
Five new BESS sites already live
InstaVolt has already launched five new battery energy storage sites.
Each site costs around £500,000 to convert. The locations include Hadfer Ltd at Bwch Moch Cafe, National Co-op at 311 Lower Addiscombe Road, Burney Group at Harwich 2, BNP Paribas at Northampton Williams Way, and Three Trees Farm Shop and Cafe.
These sites opened in March and April. They join three existing operational battery-supported sites at Winchester and Corley North and South.
Together, these early locations will help InstaVolt improve the design of future battery-backed charging sites.
Why battery storage matters for EV charging
Battery storage could solve one of the biggest problems facing public EV charging: slow and expensive grid connections.
Many charging operators face delays when trying to connect rapid chargers to the electricity grid. This can slow down the rollout of public charging points, especially in rural areas, motorway locations and other sites with limited grid capacity.
However, battery storage gives operators more flexibility. Instead of relying only on immediate grid supply, a charging site can store cheaper electricity and use it when drivers need it most.
Therefore, this technology could help more rapid chargers open in places where grid upgrades would otherwise take too long.
Solar power supports InstaVolt charging network
InstaVolt is also using solar generation to support its charging network.
In March, the company’s Winchester Superhub generated 42,000kWh of solar energy. That provided zero-cost power to the network and helped reduce reliance on more expensive grid electricity.
The company also reported that about 90% of energy sold at the site came between 7am and 8pm. However, 89% of the energy bought from the grid came during off-peak hours.
This shows how battery storage can shift energy use more efficiently. The site can buy power when it is cheaper, store it, and then supply drivers during busier daytime periods.
Lower public charging rate planned
InstaVolt plans to introduce a reduced charging rate of 70p per kWh from the summer.
The company says this lower rate will use a larger share of solar generation. Consequently, EV drivers may see more affordable public charging at selected sites.
This is important because public charging can still be expensive compared with home charging. Lower prices could make electric cars more attractive to drivers who cannot charge at home.
UK public charging network keeps growing
The announcement comes as the UK continues to expand its EV charging network.
The country has now passed more than 120,000 public electric vehicle chargers. In addition, there are more than one million home and workplace chargers.
Even so, many drivers still worry about charger availability, charging speed and cost. Therefore, investments like InstaVolt’s battery storage rollout could help improve confidence in electric vehicles.
More InstaVolt sites coming soon
InstaVolt has confirmed more battery-supported sites for the next financial year.
The next locations include Wisbech, Knutsford, Cheltenham, Blyth, Stockton-on-Tees, Penrith, York and Thirsk.
These sites will form part of the company’s wider plan to expand battery-backed charging across the UK.
What this means for EV drivers
InstaVolt’s battery storage rollout could make public charging cheaper, faster to deploy and more reliable.
For drivers, the biggest benefit may be lower EV charging costs at selected sites. For charging operators, the technology may reduce grid pressure and speed up charger installation.
Overall, the move shows how battery storage can support the next stage of electric vehicle infrastructure. Instead of waiting for slow grid upgrades, companies can use stored off-peak and solar energy to keep chargers running and reduce costs for motorists.
