bp unveils plan to invest GBP1 billion in EV charging in UK

bp announced new plans to invest GBP1 billion (USD1.3 billion) in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the UK,  supercharging the roll-out of fast, convenient charging across the country.  

bp pulse, bp’s EV charging business, intends to make the investment over the next 10 years helping to  meet the UK’s fast-growing demand for EV charging and support the country’s transition to low-carbon  transportation for both consumers and fleet vehicles. The company also expects this to support  hundreds of new jobs in the UK.  

The investment will allow bp pulse to deliver more rapid and ultra-fast chargers in key locations,  expand fleet products and services, and launch new home charge digital products and services to  enhance the customer experience. 50% of bp pulse’s network worldwide and 30% of its UK network is now made up of rapid or  ultra-fast charging.  

The investment will see bp pulse:  

• Approximately triple the number of public charging points in its UK network.  
• Accelerate the roll out of state-of-the-art 300kW and 150kW ultra-fast charging points that are  able to provide EV drivers up to 100 miles of range in around 10 minutes of charging,  depending on the model of the velectric vehicle.  
• Upgrade its current EV charging technology across its public charging network to improve  reliability.  

“I am delighted that bp pulse is supporting the transition to  cleaner vehicles as we accelerate towards our net-zero ambitions and boost green jobs opportunities right across the UK. Convenient, reliable and affordable charging is key to our green revolution and  this investment from bp will make it easier for drivers up and down the country to go electric,” said UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

“This step comes alongside the government’s publication of its landmark EV Infrastructure Strategy,  showcasing the huge commitment of both the public and private sector in the nationwide switch to electric vehicles. EVs benefit from lower fuel, running and maintenance costs than their petrol and  diesel equivalents and the strategy hopes to encourage drivers across the nation to make the switch.”  

“This GBP1 billion investment is vital to provide the charging infrastructure the UK needs. We’re investing to build a world-class network. This investment  allows us to deliver more. More high-speed charging in dedicated hubs and on existing fuel and  convenience sites. More home charging services. And crucial enhancements to our digital technology  that will make charging fast, easy and reliable,” said Richard Bartlett, senior vice president, bp pulse.

The announcement coincided with Shapps’ visiting bp pulse’s UK headquarters  for network expansion and customer care and operational centre in Milton Keynes, to unveil the  government’s EV Infrastructure Strategy.  

bp plans that for every GBP1 (USD1.3) it makes in the UK this decade, it plans to spend GBP2 (USD2.6) – including investments  to help the UK towards net zero. bp pulse is part of bp’s integrated UK business portfolio, which  includes plans to develop up to 5.9GW gross of offshore wind capacity across the Irish Sea and North  Sea and plans to produce 1.5GW of low carbon hydrogen in Teesside, 30% of the UK’s 2030 target,  from its H2Teesside and HyGreen Teesside projects.  

bp pulse also aims to play a significant role in helping to electrify the UK’s fleet vehicles and intends to  help accelerate the roll-out of EV charging solutions to the UK’s businesses. It is already working with  the UK’s largest fleet Royal Mail, Uber and emergency services in both London and Scotland.