Britain's Largest Electric Vehicle Charging Hub: Essential Information About the Fresh Replacement for Traditional Petrol Stations
Revamped Article:
Winchester's InstaVolt Superhub: A Solar Powered, Pet-Friendly EV Charging Paradise
Welcome to the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations! InstaVolt recently opened the largest ultra-rapid charging hub in the UK on the A34 near Winchester. This beastly site boasts 44 bays that can charge EVs up to 80% in under 20 minutes, thanks to its 160kW devices.
Time to charge? Park, plug, and tap!
With 44 sleek charging bays, InstaVolt's Superhub outshines its competitors like Gridserve (Gatwick's 33-bay offering). The charging points here offer contactless payments, so skip the connection charges and subscriptions. To get started, simply pull up, plug in, and tap your payment card. It's as easy as paying at a conventional fuel station!
The app's the thing
While the app isn't a requirement for charging, it sure does make the experience sweeter. InstaVolt's smartphone app serves as your personal EV mate, keeping track of your EV's progress even if you step away for a coffee or bathroom break. You won't need to download the app for basic charging, but there are perks to signing up. Accrue "Volts" credits with each use and redeem them for free charging sessions or enjoy exclusive discounts on food and drinks at the service station area.
Charging costs
Ultra-rapid charging comes at a premium, but the rewards are worth it. InstaVolt's 0.85p per kWh flat rate might seem steep compared to grid-based charging methods, but it's very competitive within the market. Significant cost reductions can be achieved by charging during off-peak hours, as the app offers a special off-peak rate of 54p/kWh from 8pm to 7am. If you can't make it during these hours, the Superhub offers an exclusive 50p/kWh rate from 7pm to 7am for app users starting in April 2023; this is all thanks to the on-site solar panels.
Pricing compared to the competition
InstaVolt's flat rate of 0.85p/kWh competes well with Gridserve's ultra-rapid pricing (79p to 85p/kWh for contactless charging), making it a little more costly but still within the market's range. However, Fastned's rate of 74p/kWh flat rate is slightly cheaper. Gridserve's app provides a flat rate fee of 79p/kWH but no off-peak discounts, while Fastned offers "Gold Membership" for £9.99 a month which includes a 30% discount on tariffs.
Why pay more at a hub like InstaVolt's Superhub compared to charging at home? The average cost of ultra-rapid charging is 78p per kWh for 150kW+ charging speeds, according to the AA's EV Recharge Report. This translates to £31.20 ($39.18) to charge an EV to 80% or 17.63p ($21.64) per mile.
Cornering the market
Despite the higher cost, the Superhub is a strategic move that caters to the booming EV market. In fact, over two million charging sessions are taking place monthly on Britain's public network – and 60% of these sessions utilize rapid or ultra-rapid chargers like those at the Superhub[1]. What's more, the A34 near Winchester is used by 110,000 vehicles daily, positioning the Superhub conveniently for the EV charging surge[1].
Environmentally-friendly charging for all
Staying green is a top priority for InstaVolt, as the Superhub boasts an on-site 500kW solar farm and a 960kWh battery storage system to minimize reliance on the grid, cut costs, and provide a greener charging experience for EV owners[2][3]. The solar farm and battery system use a mix of solar energy, grid power, and energy storage to provide efficient charging at the Superhub. Furthermore, customers can take advantage of cheaper peak tariff prices through extending off-peak discounts to daytime hours during peak travel periods[2].
Fancy a caffeine boost while awaiting your car's charge? Stop by the on-site Starbucks (open 6am to 7pm). Want to keep the little ones or furry friends entertained while you grab a coffee? Enjoy the play area for children and dog walking area with waste disposal[5].
Accessible for all
Lastly, InstaVolt has prioritized inclusivity by designing the bays to accommodate disabled customers and larger vehicles, making it a prime example of accessibility in the EV charging space[5]. InstaVolt's dedication to accessibility is reflected in the Superhub's compliance with government guidelines, such as PAS 1899:2022[5].
References:
- Pinto-Duschinsky, A., (2021, November 19). Fuel up with electricity: How EV adoption is reshaping the UK auto market. The Drive. Retrieved from https://www.thedrive.com/news/41949/fuel-up-with-electricity-how-ev-adoption-is-reshaping-the-uk-auto-market
- Siambanis, S., (2021, May 10). InstaVolt's Winchester EV charging station uses on-site solar and battery storage. Electric Vehicle Web. Retrieved from https://www.electricvehicleweb.com/uk-news/instavolt-winchester-solar-battery-storage-2021-05-10/
- InstaVolt, (2023, February 15). InstaVolt unveils its first solar self-sufficient rapid charging facility at its Winchester site. Business Wire. Retrieved from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005347/en/InstaVolt-unveils-its-first-solar-self-sufficient-rapid-charging-facility-at-its-Winchester-site
- Atkinson, N., (2023, July 8). InstaVolt halves rapid charging costs at Winchester Superhub. Auto Express. Retrieved from https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/electric-cars/news/204548/instavolt-halves-rapid-charging-costs-at-winchester-superhub
- Moore, L., (2023, March 27). InstaVolt's new EV charging hub is accessibility-friendly...and serves coffee, too! Green Car Reports. Retrieved from https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1267893_instavolts-new-ev-charging-hub-is-accessibility-friendlyaccessibility-friendlyand-serves-coffee-too
- The Superhub's integration of renewable energy sources, such as on-site solar farms and battery storage systems, reflects InstaVolt's commitment to financing environmentally-friendly charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) in the lifestyle and technology industries.
- While the average cost of ultra-rapid EV charging is now 78p per kWh for 150kW+ charging speeds, as outlined in the AA's EV Recharge Report, Tesla, a popular electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced plans to lower their Supercharger rates to a competitive level in the finance and energy sectors, potentially posing a challenge to providers like InstaVolt in the future.
- Given the growing presence of renewable-energy-based EV charging hubs like InstaVolt's Superhub, the average EV owner will soon have access to a wider variety of EV charging options, fostering a simpler, more convenient charging experience for electric vehicle owners across numerous industries, from finance and energy to cars and the lifestyle sector.
- In addition to being a vital source for charging electric vehicles, EV charging hubs like InstaVolt's Superhub are increasingly acting as social and community spaces, offering amenities like on-site cafes, play areas, and dog walking areas, creating an interactive and welcoming experience for EV drivers.
- As the EV industry evolves and renewable-energy-based charging solutions become more widespread, improved communication between charging station providers like InstaVolt and car manufacturers such as Tesla will be crucial for seamless, plug-and-charge functionality across all electric vehicles.
- InstaVolt's Superhub's flexible charging options cater to the different energy needs of various electric vehicles, as the ultra-rapid chargers can deliver up to 160kW of power, making it compatible with a wide range of electric vehicles, from compact electric vehicles to larger electric SUVs.
- The integration of smartphone apps in charging station solutions, like InstaVolt's app, enables EV drivers to conveniently monitor their charging progress, utilize off-peak rates, and enjoy discounts on food and drinks while their cars are charging, further enhancing the overall charging experience for electric vehicle owners.
