Energy giant bp has announced plans to invest £1 billion in electric vehicle charging in the UK. 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.
Bp aims to triple the number of public charging points in its UK network, and accelerate the roll out of 300kW and 150kW ultra-fast charging points that are able to provide EV drivers up to 100 miles of range with just 10 minutes of charging, depending on the model of electric vehicle.
Bp pulse also 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.
Richard Bartlett, senior vice president, bp pulse, says: “This £1 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.”
Mike Hawes, Society Motor Manufacturers and Traders Chief Executive, adds: “We welcome this significant contribution to the UK’s rapid charging network, delivering additional capability which will help assure EV drivers and support the fast-accelerating market for high-powered battery electric vehicles. Automotive manufacturers have invested billions in EVs, with more than 150 models now available in the UK across a range of segments, and consumers are responding. Investments such as this are essential to give motorists the confidence to switch, and we need to see the full variety of charging locations – the motorway, at work, destinations and, especially, on-street charging, if we are to decarbonise road transport at pace.”
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.
