Charging for everyone: your guide to travelling with the whole family

Charging for everyone: your guide to travelling with the whole family

Longer, warmer days mean more time on the road. Days out, weekends away, last minute runs to pick up a barbeque. And with more electric vehicles than ever on UK roads, the charging stop has become a natural part of how we travel.

At InstaVolt, we believe that stop should work for everyone in the car, not just the driver. Whether you’re popping out for the afternoon or heading further afield, it’s a moment to stretch, reset and look after the whole travel party. That includes the children in the back seat, the dog in the boot, anyone who needs a little more time or space, and the driver who just needs five minutes and a coffee.

Our network of more than 3,000 ultra-rapid chargers across 900 sites is designed with exactly that in mind.

Travelling with children

Longer days and school holidays mean more time in the car with children, and the charging stop is a chance to make everyone’s life easier. Rather than a reluctant pause, it can become the highlight of the journey.

Sites such as our Winchester Superhub, just off the A34 near the M3, are perfect for our youngest passengers.

As well as 44 ultra-rapid chargers, the site features a children’s play area, an on-site café, 24-hour toilet facilities, a dog walking area and an 870-panel solar array. It is the closest the UK has come to a service station built for the EV era.

Even beyond flagship sites, InstaVolt locations are chosen for their proximity to useful amenities, whether that’s a drive-through, a coffee shop or simply a safe, open space where children can move around.

Making the most of a stop with children:

• Build charging stops into the journey as opportunities to have a break
• Let children know the stop is planned and has a purpose, it resets expectations
• Use the 15-to-20-minute window for a snack, a walk and a toilet break
• Make the most of off-peak rates from 8pm to 7am at participating sites via the app – handy if you’re timing a drive around the children’s sleep schedule

Travelling with dogs

Millions of drivers won’t leave home without their dog, and an InstaVolt stop, whether it’s a quick charge on a familiar route or a longer break on the way somewhere new, can be as much of a highlight for them as it is for you.

A charge on an ultra-rapid charger typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, which is the perfect opportunity to get your dog out of the car, let them stretch their legs, have a drink of water and enjoy some fresh air. Our customers tell us this is one of the things they value most about well-located charging sites.

“Great little spot, good dog walking close by to stretch legs.”

“A fenced field so somewhere to let the dog run around.”

In summer, those stops become even more important. As temperatures rise, the risks of leaving a dog in a vehicle, even briefly, increase significantly. Charlie Matthias, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Dogs Trust, explains:

“For many of us, the arrival of warmer weather is a welcome change, but it’s important to remember that it can bring real dangers for our dogs.

“Even spring sunshine can cause serious issues, especially for flat-faced breeds or dogs with underlying health conditions. All drivers should take note that there is no safe amount of time to leave a dog alone in a car. Drivers of electric vehicles need to be mindful that this also applies when charging. Why not treat the charge time as an opportunity to get your dog out of the car for a drink of water and a toilet break?”

Top tips for travelling with dogs this summer:

• Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle, even during a charging stop
• Treat the charge as a proper break: lead on, water out, a few minutes of fresh air
• Plan stops at locations with green space or footpaths nearby
• Carry water and a travel bowl in the car at all times
• In warm weather, build in more frequent stops, even on shorter journeys

Travelling with accessibility needs

Accessible charging matters, and it is something InstaVolt takes seriously. Accessible bays are provided at all locations where possible, and our chargers use tethered cables to remove the need to handle heavy or unwieldy leads.

Payment is also designed to be simple. There is no app required, no membership and no subscription. A contactless tap of a debit or credit card is all it takes to start a charge. For drivers who prefer the app, it is available with additional features including journey planning and off-peak rates.

Planning for accessible travel:

• Use the InstaVolt app or website to identify sites with accessible bays before you travel
• All InstaVolt chargers use tethered cables, so there is no need to manage a separate lead
• Contactless payment means no app or account is required to start a charge
• If you need assistance at any point, our 24/7 driver support line is free to call: 0808 281 4444

Good to know this summer

A few things worth knowing before you set off, whether you’re heading out for the day or planning something further afield:

• Plan your charging stops in advance using the InstaVolt app, which includes journey planning and live charger availability
• Off-peak rates of just 55p/kWh are available from 8pm to 7am at participating sites via the app useful for evening journeys when the roads are quieter
• All InstaVolt chargers are powered by 100% renewable energy, so every journey is a cleaner one
• Our network runs at 99%+ reliability, with a nationwide engineer team on call around the clock
• Driver support is available 24/7 on 0808 281 4444, free of charge, for anything you need on the road

A better journey for everyone

At InstaVolt, we believe every charging stop should be something drivers look forward to, not something they plan around. This summer, whether it’s a quick top-up on a familiar route or a longer break on the way somewhere new, we’re here to make sure it works for everyone in the car.