bp to Invest $1 Billion in EV Charging Across US by 2030

Global energy conglomerate British Petroleum or bp has announced its fresh plans to invest $1 billion into electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the United States. bp said that it will bring fast charging infrastructure to Hertz locations in major cities of the US by 2030.

bp said that these cities will include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

A number of the fast-charging installations will include gigahub locations. These are large-scale fast charging hubs. Previously, announced by bp and Hertz at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the installation was set up at one such location. The hubs will serve rideshare and taxi drivers, car rental customers and the general public at high-demand locations, such as airports.

The buildout will be informed by telematics from Hertz fleet of connected cars, said bp. The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America, Europe and other parts of the world.

“This is about more, faster. We’re bringing more, fast-charging options to more Americans for faster EV adoption,” said Dave Lawler, Chairman and President of bp America.

EV charging is one of bp’s five strategic transition growth engines in which the company expects to significantly grow investment through this decade.

Hertz and bp signed an MoU last year which set out to develop a network of EV charging stations across Hertz locations and powered by bp Pulse, the electrification and charging solution brand.

“As Hertz builds the largest EV rental fleet in North America, it is essential that our millions of customers — including leisure and business travelers, rideshare drivers and corporate clients – have access to a national network of reliable, fast chargers,” said Stephen Scherr, Hertz chair and CEO.

bp said that it is aiming to enhance its ability to offer lower carbon transport solutions for customers by expanding EV charging and strategic convenience sites. Today bp has 22,000 EV charge points worldwide and aims for more than 100,000 globally by 2030. Around 90% of this will be rapid or ultra-fast.

bp will also be investing upto £50 million in a new electric vehicle battery testing centre and analytical laboratory in the United Kingdom. In India, its joint venture Jio-bp will be building reliable charging infrastructure for upcoming electric SUV launches of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M).