Oil major BP’s chargepoint arm BP Pulse has announced an extension to its partnership with Transport for London, which has resulted in around 130 public chargers being upgraded.
The pair began working together in 2018 with the aim of improving the capital’s charging infrastructure for taxis and minicabs. The network comprises over 150 chargers, with some machines dating back to the start of the relationship between BP Pulse and TFL, and hence being in need of upgrading.
BP Pulse says the replacement chargers have brought with them an average usage increase of 50%. The first three improvement phases, which have seen almost 130 chargers replaced, have been completed, with five more updated sockets set to be installed by the end of November.
Since 2023, TFL has only issued new private-hire licences to “zero emission capable” vehicles, which includes conventional electric cars, plus the range-extender LEVC TX black cab, which features a 1.5-litre petrol engine that can act as a generator to charge its batteries.
A freedom of information request from 2022 revealed TFL paid BP Pulse £200,000 for 16 rapid charging points at eight Q-Park car parks.
BP Pulse’s general manager, Valerio Ferro, commented: “We’ve been working hard to upgrade the charging infrastructure across London and we’re about to enter the final phase of the upgrade. We’re seeing increased demand on the new chargers, showing how important it is for taxis and ride hails to have the EV infrastructure in the right places.”
