VW, bp join forces to boost ultra-fast EV charging across Europe

Volkswagen (VW) and bp said they intend to work together on extending and speeding up the  deployment of ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at bp retail sites across the UK, Germany and elsewhere in Europe.  

Extensive ultra-fast charging networks are seen by both companies as essential to accelerate the  adoption of electric vehicles. The companies yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding for their  collaboration and intend to finalize agreements in coming months. This would bring together two  leading global players in mobility to develop a network of ultra-fast chargers at convenient and high quality locations – bp sites, and Aral sites in Germany.  

This would be expected to give EV drivers greater confidence in being able to access nearby, reliable,  quality charging options. bp estimates approximately 90% of people in the UK and Germany live within  a 20-minute drive of a bp or Aral site. 

The agreement would also make bp the Volkswagen Group’s EV charging partner, with bp’s charging  network being integrated into VW Group vehicles to make finding and paying for charging fast and  simple for their EV customers. The network would also be available for other EV customers as part of  the bp pulse network (Aral pulse in Germany), improving access to ultra-fast charging for EV drivers  more widely.  

“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,” said Emma Delaney, bp’s executive vice president, customers and products. 

Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Volkswagen Group and CEO of Volkswagen Group  Components, said: “Ultra-fast charging is the key enabler for e-mobility and therefore a main pillar for  Volkswagen´s transformation. Together with strong partners like bp we take this important matter into our hands and will build up to 18,000 new chargers in Europe. That is about 1/3 of the estimated ultra fast charging demand in 2025.” 

Electrification is at the heart of bp’s convenience and mobility strategy and bp aims to grow its network  of public EV charging points by 2030 to more than 70,000 worldwide. bp pulse is already the most used EV  charging network in the UK and plans to have around 250 ultrafast chargers operating at bp retail  sites by the end of this year. In Germany, Aral pulse is also already rolling out ultrafast charging points  across its retail sites – expecting to have 500 installed by year end.  

Ultra-fast charging units, with a power output greater than 150kW, can charge a vehicle with the  appropriate battery technology for a range of around 100 miles in just over 10 minutes – broadly as  fast as refueling at the pump.