EV charging network InstaVolt has announced this week that it is now available at 250 McDonald’s sites across the UK.
What began in Port Talbot in late 2020 with the first charger is now an example of how large-scale, branded real estate can help close infrastructure gaps in the UK’s EV transition. There are now more than 500 ultra-rapid chargers operational across those 250 locations, and InstaVolt said this technology has powered more than 120 million electric miles in total.
Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, said: “Working with McDonald’s has been a cornerstone of our strategy to deliver reliable and convenient nationwide EV infrastructure.
“Their well-located restaurants give us the perfect platform to reach communities across the UK and Ireland. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together so far and look forward to growing our partnership further.”
Mike Spencer, vice president of development at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, added: “McDonald’s is committed to delivering a great customer experience and our ongoing partnership with InstaVolt means we can do just that.
“Providing accessible charging points enables customers with electric vehicles to visit one of our restaurants for a coffee or a meal and get an average of an 80% charge in 20 minutes. This is a brilliant milestone to have reached, and as we look to open 200 new restaurants over the next four years, continuing to make charging points available, where possible, will remain a priority.”
InstaVolt said the scale and accessibility of the McDonald’s estate has played an important role in helping the company expand EV charging into areas often underserved by traditional infrastructure, including major cities, smaller towns, and rural routes. Some 1.5 million drivers have already used the chargers over the last five years.
Meanwhile, in other sustainability-related news, McDonald’s is part of a new pilot scheme in Cardiff where consumers can earn 5p for every paper cup they return to participating chains in the Welsh capital. The programme run by Keep Wales Tidy, the National Cup Recycling Scheme, and waste sorting app Bower involves Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, McDonald’s and Pret a Manger.
Customers purchasing drinks in paper cups from these retailers can scan their cups with the Bower app and return it to a participating store for recycling to receive a reward to put towards another purchase.
[image credit: InstaVolt]
