- UK CPO InstaVolt has this week begun construction on what will become the UK’s first motorway services area with on-site battery storage systems connected directly to its own public chargers.
- The new project, located at Corley Services on the M6 motorway, will see two large battery storage units located on both sides of the motorway, helping to support ultra-rapid charging infrastructure at the service area.
- The installation will allow for a smaller grid connection, and ensure ultra-rapid charging speeds can be maintained even during times of high demand.
InstaVolt launches battery storage initiative in the UK
InstaVolt’s flagship Winchester Super Hub has already set the blueprint for how battery storage can support ultra-rapid EV charging, and after the initial success at this location, InstaVolt will now be looking to roll out battery storage technology at more locations – including smaller ones.
At Corley Services, the on-site battery storage will store electricity on-site and distribute it to InstaVolt’s rapid chargers. By saving on energy costs, this will also allow InstaVolt to further support its off-peak charging rate offer of 60p per kWh, during the hours of 8pm and 7am. The reduced grid capacity requirement will also allow InstaVolt to upgrade the current 62.5kW chargers to ultra-rapid, 160kW units, with the potential to more than halve charging times.
The Corley Services installation is just the start of InstaVolt’s plans to roll the technology out across its sites – with another 12 batteries set to be installed across its network in the coming weeks, including sites in North Wales and Eastbourne.
InstaVolt isn’t the only CPO hoping to use battery storage as a useful tool for boosting the scalability, performance, and reliability of public charging infrastructure, helping to overcome potential grid constraints. Recently, Allego also announced plans to roll out battery storage-integrated EV chargers, which will allow it to deploy infrastructure in areas where grid capacity previously made it unfeasible.
Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, commented on the move:
“We’re the first to be able to provide this kind of battery storage system on a motorway network. This transformative project represents another important milestone for InstaVolt and for the UK’s public charging infrastructure.
We’re demonstrating how smart energy management can deliver reliable ultra-rapid charging while reducing pressure on the grid. It’s innovation like this that will help ensure EV charging remains scalable, sustainable, and ready for the next wave of electric vehicles.”
John Diviney, CEO of Welcome Break, added:
“At Welcome Break, we’re proud to be leading the way in transforming motorway services for the future. This development reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering a seamless and reliable EV charging experience for all drivers.”
