bp’s electric vehicle-charging business, bp pulse, is purchasing $100 million of ultra-fast charging hardware units from Tesla.
As early as 2024, Tesla chargers will be installed across the bp pulse network, including at key bp, Amoco, ampm and Thorntons branded sites. EV chargers will also be installed at TravelCenters of America locations, which bp recently acquired, and at bp pulse’s large-scale Gigahub charging sites, near airports and in major metropolitan areas across the United States, the company said Thursday in a news release. Tesla’s chargers will also be deployed at select bp pulse fleet customer depots.
The first installation sites will be in Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
The agreement is part of Chicago-based bp’s plans to invest up to $1 billion in EV charging across the United States by 2030. bp pulse has already installed more than 27,000 charge points and aims to roll out more than 100,000 globally by 2030, the company said.
- BP America Inc./Thorntons is No. 7 on CSP’s2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
“Strengthening the bp pulse network with Tesla’s industry-leading hardware is a major step forward in our ambitions for high speed, open access charging infrastructure in the U.S. and advances our ambition to delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Richard Bartlett, global CEO of bp pulse. “Combined with our vast network of convenience and mobility sites on and off the highway, this collaboration with Tesla will bring fast and reliable charging to EV drivers when and where they need it.”
The Tesla ultra-fast chargers, which have an output of 250 kilowatts, will be branded, installed and operated by bp pulse. They will be fitted with the Austin, Texas-based EV maker's “Magic Dock,” which is compatible with North American Charging Standard and Combined Charging System connectors. This allows EVs from other vehicle manufactures to use the Tesla chargers on the bp pulse network, the company said.
Chargers will also support the use of the “Plug and Charge” protocol, which simplifies and automates payments, bp said. The introduction of Tesla’s chargers to the bp pulse network is the first time the hardware will be purchased for an independent EV charging network.
“At Tesla, we’re driven to enable great charging experiences for all EV owners,” said Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla's senior director of charging infrastructure. “Selling our fast-charging hardware is a new step for us, and one we’re looking to expand in support of our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. We appreciate bp’s partnership in this area—it’s the right step toward a more sustainable future."
bp is also adding fast and reliable charging points outside of this deal, It has bene awarded grant funds through programs like National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and California Energy Commission (CEC) to provide charging infrastructure at sites in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Kentucky.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.