bp pulse acquires one of Europe’s largest truck stops unveiling ambitious plans to help Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) electrify
- bp pulse acquires the freehold of a strategically placed truck stop in Ashford, Kent – one of the
largest in Europe - The truck stop’s proximity to Dover and the Eurotunnel, where 3.5 million Heavy Goods
Vehicles (HGVs) cross the English Channel annually, provides bp pulse with the opportunity to
support HGV operators transitioning to EVs - bp pulse plans to transform the site with mega-watt EV chargers for HGVs
- Once the EV chargers are installed, it will enable a link from the UK to bp pulse’s German
charging corridors – a pivotal step in bp pulse’s vision to establish a comprehensive Europewide network of EV charging infrastructure for HGVs
bp pulse, bp’s electric vehicle charging brand, has acquired the freehold of one of the largest truck
stops in Europe, Ashford International Truckstop in Kent as part of its strategic drive to create a
Europe-wide network of electric truck (EV) charging infrastructure.
Strategically located off Junction 10 and 10a of the M20, Ashford International Truckstop is close to
Dover, the UK’s busiest ferry port, and LeShuttle Freight via the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.
Approximately 3.5 million Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) travel across the channel via the port of
Dover and Eurotunnel each year. The acquisition presents bp with the opportunity to help meet the
comprehensive needs of UK and European HGV operators transitioning to EVs.
The site has the capacity to host approximately 20 mega-watt chargers (MCS), 10 x 400kW and 125 x
100 kW chargers. This capacity is subject to power connection availability and the pace of
electrification in the UK and European road freight sector. It could enable bp pulse to install a range of
charging options suitable for both on-the-go and overnight HGVs.
The first mega-watt chargers are expected to be in place from 2026. A mega-watt charger has the
potential to fully charge an HGV in up to 45 minutes, enabling an onward range of ~310 miles (500km)
in a single charge1, depending on EV model, battery, the weather and driving conditions.
Stefan von Dobschuetz, general manager bp pulse Europe, said, “For fleet operators to consider
going electric, they must be confident that the infrastructure is in place to support them. That is why
we are thrilled to have secured the land to a crucial site near Dover as we strive to meet the evolving
needs of HGV operators transitioning to EVs. The location of this truck stop aligns with our mission to
provide accessible and strategically positioned charging infrastructure for our customers along the
major truck corridors in Europe,”
Stefan continues, “Now we need to unlock the EV charging potential at this site. We look forward to
working with national energy infrastructure partners to facilitate timely power connections for our
ambitious project.”
Ashford International Truckstop is currently owned by the GSE Group. The 21-acre site already offers
660 secure parking bays and convenience services for HGV drivers. As part of the agreement, bp
pulse will lease back the site to Ashford International Truckstop Ltd, part of GSE Group, to operate the
existing site facilities and secure parking on a long-term lease. bp pulse will operate and manage the
EV charging infrastructure.
Darrell Healey, Chairman of GSE Group, said: “We know the industry, including many of our clients,
want to go electric. They will need convenient and quick charging infrastructure in the right locations,
which is why the combination of the truck stop at Ashford and bp pulse works so well.
“Our knowledge and experience of operating arguably the best truck stop in the UK, combined with bp
pulse’s capabilities in building the EV charging infrastructure required by our existing and future
customers, is a perfect partnership. We’re looking forward to seeing our site evolve and serve such ETrucks and to continue to explore other potential truck stop projects in the UK.”
bp aims to create a network of mobility hubs along key logistics corridors across UK & Europe
providing freight operators with a range of energy options, including traditional fuels to support its fleet
customers at every stage of their decarbonisation journey.
Already in action, bp is supporting the decarbonisation of road transportation.
“bp fleet solutions provide innovative energy and mobility solutions to help fleets of all shapes and
sizes decarbonise, today, tomorrow, together. Across Europe, we support 1.8 million fleet drivers
providing fuels, charging and convenience offers across key logistics routes. This acquisition will be a
great addition to our offering.” Alex Eftimiu, vice president Fleet Europe, bp.
In January 2023, bp launched Europe’s first truck charging corridor along a 600km stretch of the
Rhine-Alpine corridor across Germany. 21 Aral pulse (bp’s brand in Germany) EV truck stops are
already operational in Germany enabling an electric truck to cover over 750km across multiple routes
throughout Germany. Once the EV chargers are installed on the acquired site, bp pulse is set to establish a link between the UK and its German charging corridor to further encourage HGV operators
to shift to electric.
The acquisition is a tangible illustration of bp’s strategy to increase investment in the transition to lower
carbon energy while also keeping oil and gas flowing where it’s needed today. EV charging is just one
of bp’s five ‘transition growth engines’, alongside convenience, bioenergy, hydrogen and renewables
and power.
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