On Thursday, BP inaugurated Britain’s largest electric vehicle charging hub near Birmingham, strategically situated at the convergence of three major motorways in central England.
The hub boasts an impressive array of infrastructure, featuring 30 ultra-fast 300 kilowatt charging stations, each capable of swiftly supplying an additional 100 miles (160.93 km) of driving range in a mere 15 minutes. Complementing this high-speed charging capability are 150 7kw slow-charging points.
This development aligns with BP’s ambitious plan to funnel 1 billion pounds (USD 1.25 billion) into the construction of numerous EV charging hubs across the United Kingdom over the course of this decade. This initiative is spearheaded by Akira Kirton, the CEO of BP Pulse, the company’s dedicated EV charging division operating in the UK, who confirmed this investment commitment in conversation with Reuters.
Notably, BP Pulse’s commitment to sustainability shines through in its operations, as Kirton proudly stated that all of the charging stations at the hub are powered by 100% renewable energy sources.
The venture into electric vehicle charging infrastructure holds paramount importance within BP’s broader corporate strategy, closely aligned with the vision set forth by CEO Bernard Looney’s comprehensive energy transition plan. This strategic shift aims to deliver a substantial return on investment, with a targeted rate of 15%.
While Kirton refrained from disclosing specific figures related to anticipated returns from the EV charging hubs, he did emphasize the positive utilization rates experienced at their existing sites.
Additionally, he affirmed that several of their charging facilities are currently operating profitably, underscoring the viability of BP’s commitment to the electric vehicle charging sector.
