BP has unveiled plans to invest up to £50 million in a new EV battery testing centre and analytical laboratory in the UK.

Planned to open by the end of 2024, the new facilities will be located at BP’s existing global headquarters for its Castrol business in Pangbourne, Berkshire, and will support the technology, engineering and science roles housed there today.

The site already undertakes research and development of fuels, lubricants and EV fluids, and these new facilities will help advance the development of leading fluid technologies and engineering for hybrid and fully battery electric vehicles,

Castrol intends to use the new site to continue to work with car manufacturers and suppliers to co-engineer future battery technology and associated thermal management fluids.

It will also look to develop future technologies required to help enable ultra-fast charging.

In addition, the advanced e-fluid technologies and engineering can be applied to other industries such as thermal management fluids for data centres where demand is rising exponentially.

Louise Kingham, BP’s UK head of country said, “We’re backing Britain. We’re fully committed to the UK’s energy transition.

“This additional investment will help accelerate the transition to EVs by developing solutions to help decarbonise the transport sector.  This is another example of our ambitious plans to do more, and go faster.”

Michelle Jou, CEO Castrol said, “This significant new investment will now allow us to build additional strategic technologies and capabilities to further advance EV fluids for the future.

“The facilities will also be an amazing showcase to demonstrate our integrated technology expertise to customers as we help drive the transition to EVs.”

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