BP opens first 150kW chargers at UK service station
BP Chargemaster has opened its first 150kW chargers on BP forecourts in the Greater London area. The plan is for BP service stations across the UK to get 400 of the so-called Ultracharge 150 units by 2021 as part of the Polar network.
The first two charging points, now in operation at Cranford BP station near London Heathrow airport and key motorway routes, are the first in 400 planned ultra-fast charging points by 2021. By the end of 2019, this should already number 50 sites with 100 charging spots according to the initial announcement in June.
The new Ultracharger 150 has both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors. The chargers should enable drivers to charge their electric cars in 10-12 minutes fully, making the experience compatible with the refuelling experience of conventional engines at the same sites.
“As the world of mobility evolves, BP is determined to be the fuel provider of choice whether drivers need electric charging or liquid fuels”, explained Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of BP’s Downstream business.
As BP bought Chargemaster in 2018, all new charging stations are also part of POLAR network initiated by Chargemaster, which currently has over 6,500 charging points. BP renamed the company BP Chargemaster after taking over. BP has a system of 1,200 forecourts in the UK. Moreover, the company has invested in various green ventures since CEO Bob Dudley announced in 2017 that it was feasible to add EV charging stations at BP pit stops. BP also invested 5 million dollars in FreeWire Technologies last year, which produces mobile fast charging systems for EVs. BP is planning to test the Mobi Charger at select locations in Europe.
In addition to BP, Pod Point, Fastned and Ionity are also working on setting up fast-charging stations with charging capacities of more than 150 kW in Great Britain.
Additional reporting by Nora Manthey.
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