We’re bringing ultra-rapid charging to Premier Inn

The best places to charge are the ones you’d stop at anyway. That’s why we’re delighted to share that we’ve agreed a national framework with Whitbread PLC, owner of Premier Inn, to bring InstaVolt ultra-rapid charging to Premier Inn locations across the UK.

Premier Inn is the UK’s largest hotel brand, with more than 845 hotels across the UK and Ireland. Many sit on key road networks and in towns and cities nationwide, which makes them natural places for drivers to take a break, stretch their legs and carry on with their journey fully charged.

What the agreement means

• New ultra-rapid charging at Premier Inn locations, identified and delivered together with Whitbread
• Investment in existing charging facilities across the Premier Inn estate, with work starting immediately
• Charging open to everyone, whether you’re a Premier Inn guest or simply passing through

A natural next step

Earlier this year, we agreed to acquire 228 GeniePoint charging locations from Equans, comprising more than 260 chargers. That included charging at more than 100 locations associated with the Whitbread estate, giving us a strong footprint to build on.

This agreement takes that further. Working with Whitbread, we’ll create a pipeline of new ultra-rapid charging at well-located Premier Inn sites, bringing together two national footprints that complement each other perfectly.

Investing in the existing estate

This isn’t just about adding new chargers. Over the coming months, we’ll upgrade existing charging facilities at Premier Inn locations with the latest ultra-rapid technology, enhanced grid connections where required and improved signage.

For our CEO Delvin Lane, the aim is simple: every Premier Inn site should offer the reliable, seamless experience drivers know from InstaVolt. It’s exactly the kind of long-term arrangement we want as we keep expanding the UK’s ultra-rapid charging infrastructure.

Premier Inn sees it the same way. Its hotels welcome millions of guests every year, and as more of those guests switch to electric, Whitbread wants its estate to evolve with them. This agreement lets them build on the charging already in place and roll out ultra-rapid charging at more locations.

Open to every driver

You don’t need to be staying at Premier Inn to use our chargers. Pull in, plug in and make use of the hotel’s hospitality facilities while your vehicle charges.

It’s the same InstaVolt experience you’ll find across our network:

• Contactless tap-and-pay, the free InstaVolt app or RFID card
• No subscription or membership needed
• 24/7 customer support
• More than 99% network uptime

What’s next

The first upgrades are already under way, with further new locations progressing through design, planning and construction as part of the rollout.

With more than 4,250 chargers across around 1,200 locations, our network keeps growing in the places drivers already stop. Premier Inn is the latest step in making ultra-rapid charging a seamless part of every journey.