McDonald’s to introduce rapid charging network at drive-thrus

InstaVolt is partnering with McDonald’s to roll-out electric vehicle (EV) rapid charging points across its Drive Thru restaurants in the UK.

As McDonald’s looks to play its part in a greener economic recovery, its ambition is to create a new nationwide charging network to support increasing demand for EVs.

The partnership with InstaVolt, the largest owner-operated network of rapid EV chargers in the UK, marks a huge stride forward for the EV charging infrastructure. It will include the introduction of charging points at both new and existing Drive Thru restaurants within the McDonald’s estate where they can be accommodated. The first wave of installations will be announced as they become available.

InstaVolt’s new rapid charging points are capable of charging at 125kW, amongst the fastest in the UK and cutting charging times for motorists, making EVs a more realistic prospect for drivers than ever before. The partnership, the first of its kind for a major UK restaurant chain, will increase accessibility of rapid charging for drivers across the UK by providing a network of convenient and recognisable locations beyond service stations, residential streets and workplaces.

The announcement comes as the UK economy starts to rebuild post COVID-19 with a renewed focus on low carbon industries and infrastructure, and as more drivers than ever consider EVs due to the dramatic improvement in air quality witnessed during lockdown.

The InstaVolt network has built itself an industry-leading reputation for high levels of reliability and ease of use which led to it being named Auto Express magazine’s recommended chargepoint operator in April 2020.

The accolade adds to the recognition that InstaVolt earned in the Zap-Map survey where electric car drivers across the county named InstaVolt as their favourite charging network for multiple brands for two consecutive years.

Paul Pomroy, CEO, McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “Appetite for electric vehicles, which will be a central part of the UK’s efforts to build back greener post COVID-19, is growing. This partnership and ambition takes advantage of our scale, and is a real step forward for those already driving electric vehicles, as well as people considering making the switch.

“With over 1,300 restaurants our ambition would mean you would never be far from a charging point. As we look toward a return to normal service post-COVID19, drivers will be able to pop in for a coffee or a meal and get an 80% charge in 20 minutes. We are known for speed and convenience, and this partnership with InstaVolt will provide just that for EV drivers.

“Our ultimate ambition is to have more EV charging points on our premises than any other company in the UK and Ireland.”

Adrian Keen, InstaVolt’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re committed to making our network the simplest to use with contactless payment – without the need to sign up for an account – and our 125kW chargers are amongst the fastest and most reliable in the UK. Research shows that drivers need to be confident that fast, reliable and simple to use charging infrastructure is never far away, and this partnership will deliver that confidence to drivers nationwide.

“With recent reports also indicating more people are considering EV’s given the significant drop in emissions during this pandemic, we hope that this exciting partnership with McDonald’s will help encourage them to make this decision. I very much look forward to working with McDonald’s to fulfil their ambition by rolling out InstaVolt chargers across the McDonald’s estate.”

Transport Minister Rachael Maclean said: “Being able to easily and quickly charge our electric cars as we go about our day-to-day lives is vital to encourage more people make the switch to electric.

“This exciting partnership between InstaVolt and McDonald’s, an iconic household name, is essential as we strive to change people’s perceptions of electric vehicles. We want to make clean vehicles the new normal by installing rapid charge-points in busy, popular public spaces.”

George Ridd, Partner at Zouk Capital, manager of the UK Government’s £400m Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund, and investor in InstaVolt said: “McDonald’s already has fantastic sustainability credentials with its recycled packaging targets and now it is partnering with InstaVolt to host rapid EV chargers to decarbonise the UK’s transport sector as well as reducing tailpipe emissions to clean up the air we all breathe.

“Capital from CIIF will fund the roll-out of InstaVolt chargers at McDonald’s sites across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which will be renewable energy powered and is fantastic for furthering the UK’s leading role in the EV charging infrastructure market.”