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BP pulse boosts ultra-fast charging with ‘most powerful’ Gigahub

Julie Nash — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:15:09 +0000

bp pulse has opened its most powerful charging hub in central London. Located at Q-Park Pimlico in the Borough of Westminster, the hub features eight ultra-fast 150kW chargers each capable of charging up to 100 miles of range in around 15 minutes.

Sixteen electric vehicles can charge simultaneously – at the new hub– the latest addition to bp pulse’s network in Greater London, where it operates over 570 charge points, including approximately 50 ultra-fast chargers.

Akira Kirton, vice president, bp pulse UK, said: “We have seen ultra-fast charging sessions on the bp pulse public network in London double over the last two years, so it’s clear that there is appetite for this technology. At bp pulse, we’re focused on ultra-fast charging and plan to roll out hundreds of hubs this decade in places EV drivers need them. This new hub in Pimlico is another great example of our strategy in action.”

The new Pimlico hub, connected by UK Power Networks Services, significantly boosts the ultra-fast EV charging offer in central London. Previously, only thirteen ultra-fast charge points were publicly available across all charge point operators in 2023.**

Uber’s general manager in the UK, Andrew Brem, said: “Uber drivers tell us that one of the greatest barriers to electrification is the lack of rapid charging points in the right places, so bp pulse’s new hub is a great step towards helping drivers switch to electric vehicles. London is Uber’s top city for EVs worldwide, with well over 10,000 electric vehicles on the platform. Partnerships like this are crucial to meeting our goal of 100% electric by the end of 2025.”

The chargers will be available to individual customers as well as bp pulse’s numerous fleet customers, including Uber whose drivers will be able to take advantage of two dedicated charge points at the site.

Since 2022, bp pulse and Uber have had a global mobility agreement in place which has seen both companies work together to help accelerate Uber’s commitment to become a zero-tailpipe emissions mobility platform in the UK by 2030′ Thanks to the new offer Uber drivers who sign up to bp pulse could save hundreds of pounds per year.

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Henderson Group and bp pulse roll out network of ultra-fast and rapid electric vehicle charging for NI

Julie Nash — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:25:59 +0000

bp pulse expands its charging network with ultra-fast and rapid electric vehicle (EV) charge points at around 100 Henderson Retail sites.
Over 40 charge points already available to EV drivers at over 20 Henderson Retail sites across Northern Ireland.
Initial ambition is to install up to 200 bp pulse ultra-fast and rapid charge points by 2025.
Flexible deployment overcomes issue of high-powered grid connection – significant barrier to roll-out of EV charging infrastructure.
Agreement is part of Henderson Group’s ‘Tomorrow Matters’ sustainability strategy.

Henderson Group and bp pulse, bp’s electric vehicle charging business, have signed an agreement to work together to install up to 200 electric vehicle (EV) charge points at around 100 Henderson Retail sites across Northern Ireland within the next two years, including at 30 bp branded Henderson Retail locations.

“The demand for ultra-fast charging points in Northern Ireland is high. Current figures from the Department for Transport show there are currently around 18,762 ultra-low emission vehicles registered in the region[1], an increase of 55% in the past two years alone. This steep trajectory of the volume of electric vehicles on the road is only going to continue, yet Northern Ireland has just 60 ultra-fast charge points in operation[2],” says Ron Whitten, Chief Financial Officer at Henderson Group.

Roll-out

With this roll-out bp pulse aspires to create one of the region’s largest networks of ultra-fast and rapid EV charging, aiming to add up to 15,000 kW of charging capacity.

bp pulse charge points are already live and charging EVs at 17 bp SPAR sites across Northern Ireland as well as at another four Henderson Retail SPAR sites. The full roll-out is planned to be finished by end 2025.

Whitten continues, “Henderson Retail operates over 100 busy stores, 81 of which have fuel forecourts in Northern Ireland, used frequently by those on the go throughout the day.

“We are making considered, positive steps in line with consumer behaviour and working with bp pulse to install ultra-fast chargers at our sites which will give EV drivers the opportunity to charge at a location that is convenient to their journey.”

(Left – right) Ron Whitten from Henderson Group is pictured with Easton Boyd from bp and Brian Hughes from the Electric Vehicle Association NI at one of the first of the new bp pulse Electric Vehicle charging points to be installed as part of the new network of ultra-fast and rapid chargers at around 100 bp and Henderson Retail sites in Northern Ireland.

Charging units

bp pulse is installing charging units which have an innovative integrated battery storage system. They are installed with a connection to a standard voltage power grid. This overcomes a significant barrier to the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure and removes the need for construction of a dedicated high-voltage substation, considerably reducing installation cost and time. Each charger has two charge points – one ultra-fast (150kW) and one rapid (100kW) – delivering a combined power of up to 250kW.

Akira Kirton CEO, bp pulse UK added; “Fast, reliable charging in convenient locations is essential to give drivers the confidence to switch to electric vehicles. Working with Henderson Group, a retail network that dominates the market in Northern Ireland, we have the opportunity and aspiration to create one of the largest networks of ultra-fast and rapid charging points – meeting the rise in demand for now and in the future.”

Mark McCall co-founder of the Electric Vehicle Association NI said “The Electric Vehicle Association NI welcomes today’s announcement from Henderson Group and bp pulse. This significant investment aims to bring over 200 direct current ultra-fast and rapid chargers to retail destinations across NI, making it easier and more convenient to drive an electric vehicle in Northern Ireland.”

bp pulse is one of the largest electric vehicle charging operators in the UK. It has ambitious plans to deliver on-the-go and destination charging infrastructure.

Investment

bp plans to invest up to £18 billion in the UK energy system by 2030. This includes up to £1 billion for EV charging infrastructure.

Whitten finished; “This is a significant step in Henderson Group’s commitment towards more sustainable business practices as part of our Tomorrow Matters strategy, focusing on People, Place, Planet and aims to develop the business in a way that is beneficial to both staff and customers while having a positive impact on society.

“We have a strong belief in reinvesting in our business and continually giving back to the Northern Ireland community. This rollout builds on the long-standing cooperation between bp and our Henderson Retail SPAR and EUROSPAR sites as the largest operator of bp branded forecourts in Northern Ireland.”

[1] Table VEH0142 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-october-2023/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-october-2023

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UK largest public EV charging hub unveiled by bp

Julie Nash — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 19:19:07 +0000

Located at the NEC Campus in the West Midlands, the new Gigahub offers a total of 180 charging points with varied speeds.

bp pulse, The EV Network (EVN) and NEC Group have launched the UK’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging hub on the NEC Campus in the West Midlands. This Gigahub features 180 charging points, 30 of which have a charging potency of 300KW while a further 150 points offer 7KW charging.

The new site will help serve the seven million visitors attracted to the campus annually, along with a wide range of other road users that make up the area’s average yearly traffic count of 60 million.

All drivers will have access to a new Starbucks Coffee drive-thru, combining fast charging with convenience to deliver the services EV drivers want while they wait.

“The transition to electric vehicles is evolving at pace which is why bp pulse is focussed on accelerating the development of the UK’s EV infrastructure, delivering the right charging speeds, in the right locations and investing up to £1 billion to do so,” said Akira Kirton, vice president of bp pulse UK.

bp pulse is working to provide a comprehensive EV charging network across the country and it plans to roll out hundreds of hubs by 2030. These are set to be located in urban areas, on trunk roads and motorways and at destinations such as restaurants, retail parks and hotels.

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BP to invest £1 billion in UK EV charging infrastructure

Linda Stewart — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:04:22 +0000

BP is launching its largest-ever EV charging expansion, to invest £1 billion in UK over 10 years and approximately triple its number of charging points by 2030.

The investment was unveiled during an official visit by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to bp pulse’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes and will enable the deployment of more rapid and ultra-fast chargers in key locations.

BP pulse, bp’s EV charging business, says the investment will 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.

Richard Bartlett, senior vice president, bp pulse, said: “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.”

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 electric vehicle.
Upgrade its current EV charging technology across its public charging network to improve reliability.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “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.

“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.”

BP plans that for every £1 it makes in the UK this decade; it plans to spend £2 – 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.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “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.”

Already the most used public charging network in the UK, bp pulse’s investment will help serve the record number of new EV’s joining UK roads with innovative, reliable and high-speed charging options.

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.

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