New plans to invest £1 billion in electric vehicle (EV) charging in the UK over the next ten years have been announced by bp.
The investment is to allow its EV charging network operator 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 consumer experience.
It will see bp pulse triple the number of public chargepoints it operates in the UK, with the company to accelerate the rollout of 300kW and 150kW chargepoints. It will also see bp pulse upgrade its current EV charging technology across its public charging network to improve reliability.
Ambitions to ensure public chargepoints have a 99% reliability were unveiled by the government earlier today (25 March) in its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy.
Meanwhile, bp pulse has previously committed £2 million to upgrade the UK’s legacy EV charging infrastructure.
Richard Bartlett, senior vice president, bp pulse, said: “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 company unveiled plans in March 2021 to rollout ultra-fast charging hubs across the UK in partnership with the Electric Vehicle Network. The same year, bp pulse opened the first UK rapid charging hub specifically for fleets.
The company said it aims to play a significant role in helping to electrify the UK’s fleet vehicles, stating it intends to help accelerate the rollout of EV charging solutions to the UK’s businesses. It is already working with Royal Mail, Uber and emergency services in both London and Scotland.