The effect of the cation nature is explored for the reaction of alkali metal ions intercalation into the AVPO(4)F material. Application of electrochemical methods allowed determining the key diffusional and kinetic parameters for Li+, Na+ and K+ intercalation reactions. The obtained formal redox potential values, apparent diffusion coefficients and charge transfer resistance values are contrasted, providing the possibility to assess the variation in the reaction energetics for metal ion insertion/extraction. The observed differences in reaction rates are rationalized in terms of different contributions of ion desolvation and transition through adsorbate layer/electrode interface for various ions. (C) The Author(s) 2017. Published by ECS. All rights reserved.