Instavolt commits to continued CHAdeMO support

News

Charging network vows to include older protocol at all locations to support used market for models such as Nissan Leaf

MA

Matt Allan

28 September 2026 · 2 min read

Charging network Instavolt has committed to long-term support for the CHAdeMO charging system.

The operator said that while other operators are moving away from the outdated protocol, the connectors will remain a permanent feature of its existing and new chargers.

The CHAdeMO rapid-charging system originated in Japan and was fitted to the first and second-generation Nissan Leaf and a handful of other early EVs and hybrids including the first-generation Kia Soul EV and Citroen C-Zero. However, it was quickly overtaken in Europe by the CCS connector, which is now standard across all new EVs.

As a result, many new chargepoints don’t feature a CHAdeMO connector and some operators are replacing them with CCS connectors on existing units.

However, Instavolt says it will continue to feature CHAdeMO sockets to support the burgeoning used EV market, where older models that use the protocol are still in plentiful supply.

The operator noted: “Electric vehicle ownership doesn’t change overnight. Many drivers keep their EVs for years, meaning thousands of CHAdeMO compatible vehicles are still used every day for commuting, business travel and longer journeys across the UK.

“While manufacturers have largely moved towards CCS for new models, maintaining access to CHAdeMO charging remains an important part of supporting today’s EV drivers, not just tomorrow’s.”

Instavolt currently operates 900 ultra-rapid charging sites around the UK and has 300 further locations currently in development. It has committed to including at least one CHAdeMO connector at every site, although the vast majority of devices will use the CCS standard.

Delvin Lane, CEO of Instavolt commented: “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. A car doesn’t stop being viable the day the manufacturer moves on to a new connector.”