bp and Volkswagen partner to roll-out EV fast charging in Europe
The partnership aims to transform the access to EV charging in key markets of the continent by building a fast charging network.
bp and Volkswagen have announced the launch of their strategic partnership that will boost the adoption of electric vehicles across Europe, unveiling the first charger in Dusseldorf, Germany. The partnership aims to transform access to EV charging in key European markets by building a fast charging network across Europe by 2024.
The partnership involves the implementation of Volkswagen’s Flexpole 150kW charging units, each of which feature two charge points and have an integrated battery storage system. It can be directly connected to a low voltage grid which removes the requirement for a dedicated substation and costly construction work, significantly reducing installation times while still providing fast charging speeds of up to 150kW2, enough to deliver up to 160km of driving in as little as 10 minutes, depending on the model of electric vehicle.
“EV charging is one of the key engines driving bp’s transformation to an integrated energy company. That’s why we’re so excited by our partnership with Volkswagen. When you bring together one of the world’s leading car makers and one of the world’s leading energy companies – the opportunity is huge,” said Bernard Looney, CEO of bp.
“The decarbonization of Europe’s economy requires close collaboration across borders and sectors. We’re pleased to team up with bp to accelerate the roll-out of the fast-charging network across Europe,” added Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen.
The first phase of the roll-out will see up to an additional 4,000 charge points at bp’s Aral retail sites in Germany and bp retail sites in the UK over the next 24 months. By the end 2024, up to 8,000 charge points could be available across Germany, the UK and other European countries.
