Volkswagen Group and bp launch strategic partnership to rapidly roll-out EV fast charging in Europe

Volkswagen and bp have today launched their strategic partnership that will boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe, unveiling the first charger in Dusseldorf, Germany. The partnership brings together two of the leading global players in e-mobility who  aim to transform access to EV charging in key European markets by rapidly building a fast¹ charging network across Europe by 2024 and delivering a seamless experience for EV drivers.

Volkswagen’s innovative Flexpole 150kW charging units, each of which feature two charge points, have an integrated battery storage system, overcoming one of the biggest obstacles to the rapid roll-out of fast charging infrastructure in Europe today – the need for high-powered grid connections. The Flexpole units can be directly connected to a low voltage grid which removes the requirement for a dedicated substation and costly construction work, significantly reducing installation times while still providing fast charging speeds of up to 150kW², enough to deliver up to 160km of driving in as little as 10 minutes, depending on the model of electric vehicle.

The first phase of the roll-out will see up to an additional 4,000 charge points at bp’s Aral retail sites in Germany and bp retail sites in the UK over the next 24 months. By the end 2024, up to 8,000 charge points could be available across Germany, the UK and other European countries. 

bp is rapidly expanding its EV charging network, including at its extensive and conveniently located network of retail sites. EV drivers will be able to charge in safe, well-lit stations with access to additional services such as food and drink for their journeys, as well as toilets.

Bernard Looney, bp’s chief executive officer, said: “EV charging is one of the key engines driving bp’s transformation to an integrated energy company.”

“That’s why we’re so excited by our partnership with Volkswagen. When you bring together one of the world’s leading car makers and one of the world’s leading energy companies – the opportunity is huge. This is a significant step-forward on our journey to accelerate the electrification of transport in Europe.”

Herbert Diess, Volkswagen’s chief executive officer, said: “Volkswagen has been pioneering the transformation to e-mobility across Europe. Today we have the broadest offer of electric cars in the market and sold more EVs in the region than any other carmaker last year. Investing in everything from software to batteries and charging is part of our strategy to make individual mobility safer, more convenient and fully climate-neutral. The decarbonization of Europe’s economy requires close collaboration across borders and sectors. We’re pleased to team up with bp to accelerate the roll-out of the fast-charging network across Europe.”

The charger locations will be integrated into the navigation and other in-car apps of VW, Seat and Skoda vehicles as well as into Volkswagen’s charging application, Elli, making it easier for drivers to find available charging points. Any EV driver will be able to use the new chargers as part of the bp pulse and Aral pulse network enabling all EV drivers to sign up and collect rewards from bp/Aral loyalty programmes.

“bp has served customers on-the-go for decades in Europe and across the world,” said Emma Delaney, bp’s executive vice president, customers & products. “With the transition to electric vehicles well underway in Europe, we want to provide fast, reliable charging and convenience to EV drivers on-the-go.”

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with VW. The flexible battery-based chargers will accelerate bp’s fast charging network roll-out at our well-located sites in Europe. We are planning up to 4,000 additional charge points in Germany and the UK in the near term – a turbo-boost for our fast charging network in these countries.”

Thomas Schmall, member of the board of management of Volkswagen Group and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “As we promised at our Power Day, we are driving the expansion of charging infrastructure in Europe at high speed. Together with bp, we will bring thousands of fast-charging stations to life within a very short time. Rapid expansion of the charging network is crucial now. To make that happen, our pioneering flexible, fast chargers offer a perfect solution, since the time and costs required for installation are minimal.”

Under the terms of their agreement, VW and bp will also look to pursue further opportunities together to provide future solutions for lower carbon mobility.

¹ “Fast charging” includes rapid charging ≥50kW and ultra-fast charging ≥150k.

² Depending on the number of vehicles charging and the level of charge in the battery.

Notes to editors

• About Flexpole: the Flexpole chargers have a charging power of up to 150kW and can be installed almost anywhere needed or where a charging infrastructure is not yet in place. When connected to the low voltage grid, the station becomes a permanent charging point without the additional cost and effort required for a comparable conventional fast-charging station.

• Volkswagen, Europe’s largest vehicle maker, aims to achieve 70% battery electric vehicle sales by 2030, as part of its goal to become a company with a net carbon-neutral balance by 2050.

• bp’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero. Electrification is at the heart of bp’s convenience and mobility strategy, and it aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 globally.
  

About the Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group, with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises ten core brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, Cupra, ŠKODA, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The passenger car portfolio ranges from small cars all the way to luxury-class vehicles. Ducati offers motorcycles. In the light and heavy commercial vehicles sector, the products range from pick-ups to buses and heavy trucks. Every weekday, 662.600 employees around the globe are involved in vehicle-related services or work in other areas of business. The Volkswagen Group sells its vehicles in 153 countries.

In 2021, the total number of vehicles delivered to customers by the Group globally was 8.9 million (2020: 9.3 million). Group sales revenue in 2021 totaled EUR 250.2 billion (2020: EUR 222.9 billion). Earnings after tax in 2021 amounted to EUR 15.4 billion (2020: EUR 8.8 billion). 

About bp

bp’s purpose is to reimagine energy for people and our planet. It has set out an ambition ‎to be a net zero company by 2050, or sooner and help the world get to net zero, and a ‎strategy for delivering on that ambition. Electrification is at the heart of bp’s convenience and mobility strategy, and the company aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide. They currently have around 13,000 charging points globally and its UK network bp pulse is already the most used EV charging network in the UK. In Germany, the network operates under the Aral pulse brand and is one of the leading providers of ultra-fast charging in the country.

Its customer and products division has over 20,500 branded retail sites in 21 countries and more than 12 million customer touchpoints per day.  

Further information

Contacts

bp press office, London: +44 (0)7919 217 511, bppress@bp.com

Volkswagen Group Components: +49 (0)5361 977 639, tim.fronzek@volkswagen.de