IT’S not as if electric vehicles cost that much to run. But during May the cost of charging will be – well, absolutely nothing if you use an InstaVolt rapid charger.

InstaVolt is making this gesture to EV drivers to celebrate its 100th charger going live.

All of its rapid charging stations will be free to use throughout May with no limit on the number of times that drivers can charge.

CEO Tim Payne said: “The UK needs a solid public charging infrastructure and we’re working at a rate of knots to make that a reality. We’re switching on new rapid charging stations every week and we’re thrilled to have hit this important milestone of 100.

“It’s our pleasure to share that celebration with EV drivers across the UK and offer them free charging throughout the month of May.”

InstaVolt charging stations are available to use on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no subscription or membership required.

To use, drivers simply tap their contactless credit or debit card, charge up and go. There’s no minimum spend and no connection fee. The cost is 35p per kWh for using a 50kW DC rapid charger.

However, during May drivers tap their cards to initiate the charge normally but won’t be charged.

Tim Payne added: “We’ve had a great reaction from users of our charging stations since we entered the market. Drivers like the fact that our chargers are visually striking, simple to use and of course the tap-and-pay element has been a real winner.”

Among the locations InstaVolt chargers can be found are at petrol forecourts, small service stations, retail centres and leisure centres.

InstaVolt, which owns, installs and maintains rapid DC charging stations, switched on its 100 unit at a petrol forecourt owned by Cornwall Garages in Epping. It’s aiming to have 3,000 in the ground by the end of 2021.