BP's EV Charging Network Gets Boost Via Order Of Tesla Ultra-Fast Chargers Worth $100-M

BP has unveiled a deal in which BP Pulse, BP's electric vehicle (EV) charging business, will acquire ultra-fast charging hardware units from Tesla for $100 million.

The BP transaction marks the first time that Tesla's charging hardware will be purchased for an independent EV charging network. I Photo: bp Facebook

This investment will facilitate the expansion of the BP Pulse public charging network across the United States, enabling support for EV fleet customers by deploying chargers at their private depots.

This marks the first time that Tesla's charging hardware will be purchased for an independent EV charging network.

The rollout is scheduled to commence in 2024 and will include key sites across the BP family of brands, including TravelCenters of America, Thorntons, ampm, and Amoco, as well as at BP Pulse's large-scale Gigahub™ charging sites in major metropolitan areas and at third-party locations, such as Hertz locations, as part of previously announced collaborations.

The initial installation sites have been identified in Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C.

Tesla's ultra-fast chargers, which have an output of 250 kW, will be branded, installed, and operated by BP Pulse. The chargers will be equipped with Tesla's 'Magic Dock', which is compatible with both the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors.

This compatibility enables EVs from other major vehicle manufacturers to use the Tesla chargers on the BP Pulse network, regardless of whether they use CCS or NACS ports.

To enhance the user experience, the Tesla chargers will support using the Plug and Charge protocol, which simplifies and automates payments. These third-party-operated ultra-fast chargers meeting Tesla's reliability and functionality requirements will be featured in Tesla's vehicle UI and apps.

Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla's Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure, said: "At Tesla, we're driven to enable great charging experiences for all EV owners. 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 towards a more sustainable future."

BP Pulse is committed to expanding its charging infrastructure and has plans to deploy additional fast and reliable charging points at high-demand locations, including airports, major metropolitan areas, and BP-owned properties along Alternative Fueling Corridors.

BP has been awarded grant funds through programs like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) to provide charging infrastructure at sites in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Kentucky.

In February 2023, BP announced plans to invest $1 billion in America's EV charging infrastructure by 2030, with an aim to invest $500 million in the next two to three years.

BP's investment in growth engines, including bioenergy, convenience, EV charging through BP Pulse, hydrogen, renewables, and power, made up around 30% of BP's total investment in 2022, up from around 3% in 2019.

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