BP says it has “stepped back” from its ambitious all-electric forecourt model which it launched in February last year in Hammersmith, West London.
While details are scant on what this means for the future roll-out of electric-only sites, it suggests the oil giant’s appetite for providing exclusive forecourts for EV drivers is waning.
Speaking at last week’s annual Rontec conference, Jo Hayward, who has recently become interim senior vice president, mobility & convenience Europe and BP Pulse, said the oil giant is taking lessons from its EV charging installations, which it operates under the BP Pulse brand on its own as well as independent forecourts
She said: “BP Pulse gives us an opportunity to bring EV to the forecourt. Let’s be honest, we don’t always get it right. We may go too fast in some places and we may pull back in others.”
She added: “It is about being agile in our approach, and you will know that we have stepped back from our first site which was full EV in Cromwell Road to actually now being multi-energy, multi-purpose on the forecourt.”
However, while BP favours a hybrid model for its forecourts – featuring traditional pumps, chargers, and convenience outlets – its first all-electric forecourt, on the A4 in Hammersmith, will remain that, complete with M&S food store.
The five ultra-rapid chargers, which replaced fuel pumps, will stay giving BP further insights into EV driver behaviour.
Hayward has temporarily stepped up from her role as vice president, (managing director) mobility and convenience UK (retail), as part of a series of recent internal changes.
This includes Emma Delaney being appointed EVP, customer and products, and Martin Thomsen leaving his position as head of EV charging.
Thomsen departed the business ahead of the arrival of the oil major’s new chief executive Meg O’Neill at the end of March.
O’Neill has taken the helm at a time that BP is pivoting away from the transition to sustainable energy to refocus on oil and gas.
In its latest financial results presentation last month, unlike in previous quarters, EV charging was notably absent in the BP’s Q1 presentation. In 2025 the firm announced it would dramatically cut its annual investment in this area, from £5bn to £500m, while sharpening its focus on traditional fuels.
