BMW and Daimler Mobility join forces with BP

Global energy giant BP has partnered with BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG on the firms’ Digital Charging Solutions GmBH (DCS).

DCS, a European developer of charging solutions for manufacturers and fleet operators, will now see BP become a 33.3% partner in the business alongside BMW and Daimler.

The company works with equipment manufacturers to integrate its charging solutions into vehicle operating systems, offering plug and charge for vehicle and charger to communicate without the need for additional customer authentication. DCS offers access to 228,000 charging points in 32 countries giving OEMs, fleet customers and EV drivers extensive access to charging infrastructure across Europe.

As part of the agreement, BP’s European charging networks will be integrated into the DCS’s software system as well as fuel and charge for fleet customers. BP, which plans 70,000 chargers by 2030 worldwide, currently has around 8,700 charging points in Europe. The company is also rapidly growing its network of ultra-fast chargers and plans to have around 250 ultra-fast chargers operating at retail sites in the UK and 500 ultra-fast charging points across its Aral retail sites in Germany by year end. DCS customers will gain access to these additional charging points and BP will gain access to a wider customer base.

Richard Bartlett, BP senior vice president, future mobility & solutions said: “Our aim is to make charging as convenient as refuelling at the pump – fast, reliable and a great customer experience. Joining forces with BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG in DCS, combined with the expansion of our ultra-fast charging network, will help provide drivers access to convenient charging where they need it. It also gives us access to a much wider customer base, ultimately driving up utilisation rates on our network.”

Stephan Unger, Chief Financial Officer of Daimler Mobility AG, responsible for Finance and Controlling, Risk Management and Digital Mobility Solutions, said: “Together with the BMW Group, we are consistently driving forward the transition to electric mobility. With bp, we are gaining a strategic partner who will help us to further strengthen the customer offering of DCS. bp’s large network of retail sites offer ideal conditions for the expansion of charging infrastructure – precisely where customers of electric vehicles need and expect them. We also see great potential in combining tank and charging solutions for the growing customer group of plug-in hybrids. bp’s commitment will help DCS accelerate the implementation of its ambitious plans.

Rainer Feurer, senior vice president of investments at the BMW Group, said: “A sufficient charging infrastructure is key to wider acceptance of electrification. With bp, the BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG have on board a partner who offers a strong brand and customer focus with an extensive European ultra-fast charging network, as well as retail sites. We strongly support an open and full-coverage charging network, as this is a clear benefit for our customers.”

Jörg Reimann, CEO of Digital Charging Solutions GmbH, said: “Our cooperation with bp opens up completely new possibilities for expanding our product portfolio making charging even more comfortable for our customers. We know that combined charging and fuelling offers are pivotal for our fleet customers.  We look forward to adding bp´s retail sites to our network and being able to jointly create innovative integrated services.”

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