BP Pulse has opened the UK’s first rapid charging hub for fleet vehicles, a multi-charger hub on Park Lane in Central London.
The hub has 10 rapid 50kW chargers, with a further 12 due to be added in the coming months and a second site is already under construction in the Westminster area.
Uber, which plans to electrify all cars on its app in London by 2025, is BP’s first fleet customer to get access to the new hubs, with dedicated charge points for its partner-drivers.
Partner-drivers on the Uber app will also benefit from discounts on BP Pulse public charging and home charging units.
Additional facilities can be provided at each rapid charging hub, including toilets, WiFi and refreshments.
BP Pulse intends to open hundreds of similar hubs across London and other UK and European cities by 2030.
Richard Bartlett, BP’s senior vice president, Future Mobility & Solutions, said, “London anticipates that by 2025 taxis and private hire vehicles will account for 80% of all public charging demand in the city.
“Fast, reliable charging infrastructure in convenient locations is essential to give business and fleet customers the confidence to make the switch to electric.
“That’s why we’re opening our new hubs at the heart of major cities across the UK and Europe, aiming to keep fleets charged and ready for business – whilst producing zero emissions.”
Jamie Heywood, Uber Regional general manager, Northern and Eastern Europe added, “At Uber, we have been doing everything we can to encourage drivers to switch to electric vehicles, including launching Uber Green to make zero-emissions transport a reality.
“We know that one of the greatest barriers to electrification is the lack of rapid charging points in the right places that are convenient for drivers – BP Pulse’s fantastic new hub is a great step forward in making sure their needs will be met.”
