Thursday, October 10, 2024
Electric VehiclesInfrastructure and TechnologyLatestNews

First rapid EV charging hub for fleets opened by BP Pulse

BP Pulse has opened the UK’s first rapid charging hub for fleets of EVs – with 10 electric vehicles able to charge simultaneously at the site on Park Lane in London.

The company plans to more than double capacity at the multi-charger hub site in the coming months. The Park Lane hub has 10 rapid 50kW chargers, with a further 12 chargers being added in the coming months. A second site is already under construction in the Westminster area.

BP Pulse says it intends to open hundreds of similar hubs across London and other UK and European cities by 2030, further supporting the transition of businesses and fleets to electric vehicles.

The firm is aiming to become a net zero company by 2050 and wants to grow its network of public EV charging points to over 70,000 worldwide by 2030.

Customers already have access to around 8,700 rapid and ultra-fast charging points.

Richard Bartlett, BP’s senior vice president, future mobility & solutions, said: “London anticipates that by 2025 taxis and private hire vehicles will account for 80% of all public charging demand in the city. Fast, reliable charging infrastructure in convenient locations is essential to give business and fleet customers the confidence to make the switch to electric. That’s why we’re opening our new hubs at the heart of major cities across the UK and Europe, aiming to keep fleets charged and ready for business – whilst producing zero emissions.”

Uber is BP’s first fleet customer to get access to the new hubs, with dedicated charge points for Uber partner-drivers.

Uber’s vision is to electrify all cars on its app in London by 2025. The BP Pulse hubs will support this by providing an extensive and reliable charging network. Partner-drivers on the Uber app will also benefit from discounts on BP Pulse public charging and home charging units.

Jamie Heywood, Uber Regional General Manager, Northern and Eastern Europe said: “At Uber, we have been doing everything we can to encourage drivers to switch to electric vehicles, including launching Uber Green to make zero-emissions transport a reality. We know that one of the greatest barriers to electrification is the lack of rapid charging points in the right places that are convenient for drivers – BP Pulse’s fantastic new hub is a great step forward in making sure their needs will be met.”

The new rapid charging hubs will deliver charging in locations where fleet and operational vehicles need it most – and importantly at scale, with a target of at least 10 chargers per site. Wherever possible, additional facilities will be provided at each location, including toilets, WiFi and refreshments.

Image courtesy of BP Pulse.

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