Two UK electric vehicle chargepoint companies are making their stations free to use today to mark Clean Air Day (June 21).

The event, organised by Global Action Plan, aims to raise awareness of air pollution and what people can do to make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.

Pod Point is making its 2,000-strong public charging network - including rapid chargers - free for drivers, while InstaVolt, which owns, installs and maintains rapid DC charging stations has also made its chargers free to use. It has more than 150 rapid chargers across the UK.

Erik Fairbairn, CEO and founder of Pod Point, said: “Thanks to initiatives like Clean Air Day, the public are now beginning to really understand the negative effects of burning fossil fuels on the air that we breathe.

"Pod Point was founded on the principle that travel shouldn’t damage the Earth.

"We have made significant progress towards this via our national network of charge points, but we still have a massive amount to do. We hope that making our entire public network free to use for Clean Air Day further accelerates the adoption of EVs.”

All charging on the Pod Point public Open Charge Network will be free from midnight on June 21 until midnight on the June 22. App users will charge and pay as usual. Pod Point will reimburse any payments made via an in-app credit within two to three working days.

Tim Payne, CEO of InstVolt, added: “Creating a world where we have cleaner air to breathe is something we’re incredibly passionate about at InstaVolt. Electric cars have an important part to play in that, by replacing polluting vehicles with zero emission alternatives.

“It’s our pleasure to support Clean Air Day by giving electric car drivers free use of our charging stations. They’ll see how quick and easy it is to get back on the road in minutes.”

Its charging stations are available to use on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no subscription or membership required. Drivers simply tap their contactless credit or debit card, charge up and go.

On Clean Air Day, drivers simply need to initiate the charge in the normal way by tapping their contactless credit or debit card but they won’t be charged.  

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