BP pulse network sees record use in lockdown
The amount of energy provided by public charging network, bp pulse, increased to more than 2m kWh in the first 40 days of 2021 – a 19% increase over the same period last year.
The news comes despite the UK being under a ‘stay at home’ order lockdown from 5 January – and vehicle traffic down 49% on levels from the start of 2020. It would suggest the number of EVs is significantly higher than even the 20% figure would suggest.
Analysis from bp pulse also revealed a continued shift towards faster public charging. Sessions using 50kW rapid chargers increased by 36% with energy supplied up by half (49%) while use of 150kW ultra-rapid units was up by a third (34%) – with a 41% increase in energy delivered.
Matteo de Renzi, CEO of bp pulse, said: “Despite the lockdown, demand for EV charging on the bp pulse public network has remained incredibly strong. When motorists are feeling a pressure to complete their journeys as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible, our data shows that they are relying on the bp pulse network.
“With more people working remotely during the lockdown, our smart home chargers are also helping to enable essential journeys. We expect to see significant growth in the next 12 months as we head towards our 100,000th installation, with the new EV market expected to grow by almost 70% in the UK in 2021 [3]. And as even more fleet vehicles hit the road as restrictions ease over the coming months, we will be helping businesses to electrify their workplaces and depots right across the country.”
