InstaVolt introduces cheaper EV public charging rates – but only if you charge at night

Leading public charging network operator, InstaVolt, has announced a new off-peak pricing system that will see charging costs drop by over a third during certain hours.

Currently, electric car drivers pay 85p per kW of energy when they use one of InstaVolt’s 1,600 public rapid chargers. Under the new pricing scheme, that rate falls to just 54p/kW – around 36% less. In the real world, a battery top up normally costing £60 would now cost just £38 when using an InstaVolt charger during off-peak hours.

When are the off-peak hours? 

The cheaper charging rate only applies between 10pm and 6am – outside of these hours, EV drivers will have to stump up the full 85p/kW. That’ll be great news for late-night Uber drivers, night-shift workers and early birds, but drivers who charge up during the daytime won’t see any savings under the new scheme.

The new system is set to be introduced from September 1st and will initially be available to users of the InstaVolt app. According to InstaVolt, over a third of electric car drivers in the UK already use its app, but the firm has promised to roll out the new pricing scheme to contactless payment users by the end of the year so everyone can access off-peak pricing.

“We know the winter presents extra challenges, and we’re mindful that the cost-of-living crisis is still affecting people, the price of energy is also set to increase following the recently announced October price cap,” says InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane. “Charging during our off-peak hours will create a significant reduction for customers ahead of this rise. Our new tariff will have the benefit of offering motorists who can’t charge at home, a cheaper rate of electricity.”

What about other charging networks?

InstaVolt’s 85p/kW rapid charging rate is one of the highest in the UK, with most rivals priced at around 79p/kW. While InstaVolt’s new rate will result in large savings for many late-night drivers, it’s worth noting that several rival charging network providers also offer off-peak charging prices.

InstaVolt is also developing other variable pricing strategies that could see charging rates fluctuate based on location and time of day, in a similar fashion to the Tesla Supercharger network.

Read our guide to the best public charging networks, as voted by you…