Fast food giant McDonalds has announced that its drive-thru restaurants in the United Kingdom will now offer customers access to rapid charging points through a partnership with InstaVolt, the largest owner-operated network of rapid EV chargers in the UK.
McDonalds and InstaVolt announced the news this week as part of the fast food giant’s effort to “play its part in a greener economic recovery” by creating “a new nationwide charging network to support increasing demand for EVs.”
InstaVolt describe the new partnership as marking “a huge stride forward for the EV charging infrastructure” explaining that it will include the introduction of new EV charging points at both new and existing Drive Thru restaurants, where feasible.
“Appetite for electric vehicles, which will be a central part of the UK’s efforts to build back greener post COVID-19, is growing,” said Paul Pomroy, CEO, McDonald’s UK & Ireland. “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.”
InstaVolt already boasts several hundred charge points across England, Wales, and Scotland, and was earlier this year named Auto Express magazine’s recommended chargepoint operator thanks to its industry-leading reputation for high levels of reliability and ease of use.
“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,” said Instavolt CEO Adrian Keen..
“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.”
The news was unsurprisingly welcomed by government and industry.
“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,” said Rachael Maclean, the UK’s Transport Minister.
“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.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.