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Filling up an electric car could get quicker and cheaper at dozens of locations across the UK after one of the country's biggest charging networks ploughed £2.5 million into new battery technology.

InstaVolt is installing giant on-site batteries at its rapid charging hubs nationwide. Five are already up and running, with at least 20 more coming before the end of the year, bringing the total to 28 sites.

Batteries charge up overnight when electricity is cheap. During the day, when prices spike, the chargers run off stored power instead of the grid. InstaVolt then passes that saving straight to drivers, with the money taken through a contactless card transaction.

Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, which is based in Winchester, Hampshire, said: "Our batteries charge overnight when energy is cheaper and cleaner, and we draw on that stored power during the more expensive daytime hours. That saving goes to the consumer."

At InstaVolt's Corley services on the M6, cars are now taking on 33% more charge per session at one site and 22% more at the other, because the power is there when drivers need it.

At the Winchester Superhub, on-site solar panels work alongside the batteries to push prices lower. This summer, drivers will pay just 70p per kWh. In March alone, 42,000 kWh of free solar power went straight into the network.

Dr Andy Palmer, founder of Palmer Energy Technologies, said: "The Corley data tells you everything you need to know. That's what good engineering looks like in practice."

The rollout also helps InstaVolt open new sites faster, bypassing the notorious grid connection delays that have slowed the UK's charging rollout for years. Locations already confirmed for later in 2026 include Wisbech, Knutsford, Cheltenham, York and Thirsk.

InstaVolt operates more than 1,000 charge points across the UK, all accepting contactless payment with no app or membership required.

• Hadfer Ltd at Bwch Moch Cafe (opened March 2026)
• National Co-op at 311 Lower Addiscombe Road (opened March 2026)
• Burney Group at Harwich 2 (opened April 2026)
• BNP Paribas at Northampton Williams Way (opened April 2026)
• Three Trees Farm Shop and Cafe (opened April 2026).

They join three existing operational BESS sites at Winchester and Corley North and South.