bp pulse opens first Uber dedicated chargepoints which includes protected card enabled access
The UK’s first rapid charging hub for fleet vehicles, which includes dedicated and protected card enabled access chargepoints for Uber partner-drivers, has been opened by bp pulse.
The new multi-charger hub located on Mayfair’s Park Lane currently provides rapid charging for 10 vehicles with future plans to more than double its capacity in the coming months.
According to the energy company, bp plans to open hundreds of similar hubs across London and other UK and European cities by 2030 to support the transition of businesses and fleets to electric vehicles.
Uber is bp’s first fleet customer to get access to the new hubs, with dedicated charge points for Uber partner-drivers.
As part of a strategic partnership between bp and the private hire operator, drivers on the Uber app will benefit from discounts on bp pulse public charging and home charging units.
The new rapid charging hubs will help to deliver charging in locations where fleet and operational vehicles need it most. Wherever possible, additional facilities will be provided at each location, including toilets, WiFi and refreshments.
According to sources, the two Uber-dedicated chargers are set up in such as way as to only allow Uber drivers with cards enabled with access to use them.
bp pulse are also expected to work with the licensed taxi industry to look at the best way to enable black cabs access to the remaining, non-Uber dedicated, chargers.
The Park Lane hub has 10 rapid 50kW chargers, with a further 12 chargers planned in the coming months. A second site is already under construction in the Westminster area.
Richard Bartlett, bp’s senior vice president, future mobility & solutions, said: “London anticipates that by 2025 taxis and private hire vehicles will account for 80% of all public charging demand in the city. Fast, reliable charging infrastructure in convenient locations is essential to give business and fleet customers the confidence to make the switch to electric. That’s why we’re opening our new hubs at the heart of major cities across the UK and Europe, aiming to keep fleets charged and ready for business - whilst producing zero emissions.”
Jamie Heywood, Uber Regional General Manager, Northern and Eastern Europe, said: “At Uber, we have been doing everything we can to encourage drivers to switch to electric vehicles, including launching Uber Green to make zero-emissions transport a reality. We know that one of the greatest barriers to electrification is the lack of rapid charging points in the rightplaces that are convenient for drivers - bp pulse’s fantastic new hub is a great step forward in making sure their needs will be met.”
