InstaVolt commits to CHAdeMO at every site, good news for Leaf owners
InstaVolt says at least one CHAdeMO connector will stay at each of its 900 existing sites and 300 new ones in development, a lifeline for drivers of older Nissan Leafs and other CHAdeMO cars.
Quick answers
- InstaVolt says at least one CHAdeMO connector will be fitted at each of its 900 existing sites and 300 new sites in development.
- The company says drivers are never more than 30 miles from an InstaVolt charger.
- CHAdeMO is the rapid-charging plug used by early Nissan Leaf models, while new cars have moved to CCS.
- InstaVolt's peak rate is 92p per kWh from 7am to 8pm, falling to 55p per kWh for app or RFID card users from 8pm to 7am. Contactless pays 92p at all times.
- The announcement came during Used EV Week, with InstaVolt citing the growing used EV market.
InstaVolt has said CHAdeMO will stay on its network permanently, with at least one of the connectors at every one of its 900 existing sites and 300 new sites in development. For anyone running or considering an older Nissan Leaf, which relies on CHAdeMO for rapid charging, it removes a worry about the plug vanishing from new hubs.
The commitment was reported on 25 September by Transport + Energy and came during Used EV Week. InstaVolt chief executive Delvin Lane said: “Every InstaVolt site, existing and new, has CHAdeMO alongside CCS. That’s not a legacy afterthought; it’s a deliberate choice to back the used EV market” (Electrifying).
What has InstaVolt promised?
| Detail | InstaVolt’s statement |
|---|---|
| CHAdeMO at existing sites | At least one connector at all 900 |
| CHAdeMO at new sites | At least one connector at all 300 in development |
| Coverage | Never more than 30 miles from a charger |
| Reason given | Growing used EV market |
Zapmap carried the same figures. InstaVolt says that while manufacturers have moved to CCS for new models, thousands of drivers still depend on CHAdeMO daily for commuting, business travel and longer journeys.
Why does CHAdeMO matter for used buyers?
CHAdeMO is the rapid-charging connector of early Nissan Leaf models, and other cars that came with it can only use that plug at a rapid charger. New cars are sold with CCS, so networks have little commercial reason to add CHAdeMO to new hubs. A pledge to keep it matters because a cheap used EV is only practical if it can use the rapid network on a longer trip.
If you are shopping in this part of the market, our guides to the used Nissan Leaf against the Renault Zoe, used EVs under £15,000 and checking battery health before buying are good starting points. Our Nissan Leaf 2026 page covers the current car, which is a different proposition from the early cars this pledge helps.
What does it cost to charge?
InstaVolt’s peak rate is 92p per kWh, from 7am to 8pm. App or RFID card users pay 55p per kWh between 8pm and 7am, with no subscription or membership. Contactless card payments are 92p at all times, and some sites, such as Winchester, are priced differently (Motoring Research, InstaVolt rates).
| Time | Rate |
|---|---|
| 7am to 8pm | 92p per kWh |
| 8pm to 7am, via the app or RFID card | 55p per kWh |
EV Compared calculation: a 30kWh top-up costs £27.60 at 92p per kWh (30 x 0.92) and £16.50 at 55p per kWh (30 x 0.55), a difference of £11.10. These figures ignore any session fee and any site-specific rates. Our public charging prices report shows how that compares with other networks.
What is still unknown?
InstaVolt’s statement says at least one CHAdeMO connector per site, not one per charger, so a busy evening could still mean a queue for the single plug. The announcement also does not say which other networks will keep CHAdeMO. Check your plug type on the map in your charging app before a journey, and see our guide to charging any EV at any public charger for connector basics.
What this means for you
If you drive an older Leaf or another CHAdeMO car, InstaVolt has made a public commitment to your plug, and charging after 8pm through its app or an RFID card is its cheapest rate. If you are buying one, the pledge makes a CHAdeMO car easier to live with, but plan trips around sites you have confirmed rather than assuming a connector will be free.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Will InstaVolt keep CHAdeMO chargers?
Yes. InstaVolt says CHAdeMO will remain a permanent feature, with at least one connector at every one of its 900 existing sites and 300 new sites in development.
Which cars use a CHAdeMO connector?
Early Nissan Leaf models rely on CHAdeMO for rapid charging, according to InstaVolt's announcement. Newer cars have moved to the CCS standard.
How much does InstaVolt charge?
The peak rate is 92p per kWh between 7am and 8pm. App or RFID card users pay 55p per kWh between 8pm and 7am, with no membership or subscription. Contactless card payments stay at 92p at all times, and some sites, such as Winchester, have different rates.
How far am I from an InstaVolt charger?
InstaVolt says drivers are never more than 30 miles from one of its chargers.
Sources and further reading
- electrifying.comElectrifying.comPrimary source referenced in this article.
- zapmap.comInstaVolt commits to CHAdeMO at every siteCoverage of the commitment and the 30 miles claim.
- transportandenergy.comInstaVolt confirms CHAdeMO will remain permanentlyReport of the 25 September announcement.
- evpowered.co.ukInstavolt commits to permanent support for CHAdeMO chargingFurther coverage of the commitment.
- motoringresearch.comInstaVolt slashes overnight EV charging cost to 55p per kWhOff-peak 55p per kWh rate and 92p peak rate.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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