BP’s electric vehicle charging subsidiary, BP Pulse, has inked a monumental deal with Tesla, worth $100 million, to deploy Tesla’s ultra-fast chargers across the United States. This marks the first instance of Tesla’s charging infrastructure being integrated into an independent network, presenting a significant stride forward in the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape.
The substantial investment is an integral part of BP Pulse’s overarching strategy to funnel up to $1 billion into the expansion of charging stations throughout the United States by the year 2030. Beyond fortifying BP’s commitment to sustainable mobility, this collaboration offers Tesla, a leader in the EV market, a fresh avenue for generating revenue.
Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s Senior Director for Charging Infrastructure, expressed, “Selling our fast-charging hardware is a new step for us, and one we’re looking to expand.” This move underscores Tesla’s broader ambition to extend its influence in the EV charging domain.
The deployment of Tesla chargers under this agreement is slated to commence as early as 2024, with BP installing these units at their own brands, including Travel Centers of America and Amoco. Furthermore, BP is eyeing strategic partnerships with third-party entities to expand the reach of these chargers, one such partnership already being with the renowned rental car company, Hertz, which has its own agreement to incorporate Tesla vehicles into its fleet.
Initial installation points for these chargers are set to cover key cities in the United States, including Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, marking a pivotal advancement in BP’s endeavor to offer high-speed, open-access charging infrastructure to EV users nationwide.
The 250-kilowatt BP Pulse-branded chargers represent an industry milestone by being compatible with both Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors. This dual compatibility ensures that EV models from various automakers can benefit from the convenience of these charging stations.
The competition in the electric vehicle charging sector has been intensifying, with automakers increasingly embracing Tesla’s NACS as a potential industry standard. This shift has been propelling Tesla’s superchargers toward potential dominance, potentially outpacing the rival CCS.
Richard Bartlett, the Global CEO of BP Pulse, commented, “(This) is a major step forward in our ambitions for high-speed, open access charging infrastructure in the U.S.” This partnership signifies a significant stride towards a more accessible, efficient, and interconnected EV charging network, bolstering the green revolution in the automotive industry.
