BP’s charging network will be integrated into Volkswagen vehicles to make EV charging fast and simple
The ultra-fast charging facilities will be deployed at Aral sites in Germany. (Credit: bp p.l.c.)
German automobile major Volkswagen Group has partnered with BP to accelerate the deployment of ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities in Europe.
The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the collaboration, with an intention to reach agreements in the coming months.
As part of the agreement, BP will become Volkswagen’s EV charging partner and BP’s charging network will be integrated into Volkswagen vehicles to enable finding and paying for charging fast and simple.
The ultra-fast charging network is also expected to be available for other EV customers.
BP customers and products executive vice president Emma Delaney said: “Enabling the rapid expansion of electric vehicles is core to bp’s plans to grow our convenience and mobility business, and supports our net-zero ambition.
“Partnering with Volkswagen Group – one of the world’s great automotive companies – we intend to address a key concern for people considering buying an EV: range anxiety. Together we can provide drivers in the UK and Europe with the fast, reliable and convenient charging solutions they need to feel more confident about making the switch.
“By deploying ultra-fast charging, rapidly and at large scale, we can establish a leading position and help accelerate the take-up of EVs.”
Aimed at speeding up the adoption of electric vehicles, Volkswagen and BP will work together to install ultra-fast charging facilities at BP retail sites across the UK, Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
The ultra-fast charging facilities will also be deployed at Aral sites in Germany.
BP said that the retail sites of BP and Aral are ideal locations to provide an enhanced charging experience for EV drivers.
According to the oil and gas company’s estimates, nearly 90% of people in the UK and Germany stay within a 20-minute drive of a BP or Aral site.
BP targets to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 70,000 worldwide, as part of its convenience and mobility strategy.
With a power output of more than 150kW, ultra-fast charging units are said to charge a vehicle for a range of around 160km in just over 10 minutes.