bp pulse, the electric vehicle charging arm of bp, has opened a new high-capacity EV charging hub near O’Hare International Airport, marking its sixth major airport-focused location in the United States.
The new hub, located close to Chicago’s O’Hare airport, features 40 ultrafast charging bays equipped with a mix of 400 kW and 150 kW DC fast chargers. The site supports both CCS and NACS connectors and is designed to serve ride-hailing drivers, airport users and local EV owners seeking rapid and convenient charging.
See also: bp pulse Launches First Arizona Ultrafast EV Charging Hub
bp pulse said the O’Hare site is part of its broader strategy to build a national fast-charging network in high-demand locations. Similar airport-area hubs are already operating near Los Angeles (LAX), Boston (BOS), San Francisco (SFO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Houston (HOU).
The facility includes a covered canopy and free Wi-Fi, and is co-located with a bp-branded fuel station, allowing drivers to access amenities such as a convenience store, coffee shop and nearby restaurants while charging.
“Opening our sixth major airport hub is a significant milestone in our commitment to expanding our EV charging network across the United States,” said Sujay Sharma, chief executive of bp pulse Americas. “By strategically placing our hubs in high-demand locations like airports, we’re making it easier for drivers to access the fast and reliable charging they need.”
To mark the opening, bp pulse hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials and partners, including ComEd. An EV driver event was also held on Dec. 18, during which drivers were offered a limited-time charging rate of one cent per kilowatt-hour.
The project received partial funding through a $500,000 rebate from ComEd’s Make Ready Rebate programme, as well as a $320,000 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under its Driving a Cleaner Illinois initiative. The funding supports the installation of publicly accessible Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations across the state.
“It takes collaboration to increase charging accessibility for EV drivers,” said Gil Quiniones, president and chief executive of ComEd, citing cost and access as key barriers to EV adoption.
Illinois EPA acting director James Jennings said more than 100 state-funded charging locations are already available across Illinois, with around 300 expected to be online once construction is completed.
bp pulse said it continues to roll out ultrafast charging across bp’s wider retail network, including bp, Amoco, ampm, Thorntons and TravelCenters of America locations, as well as at new-to-industry and destination sites nationwide.