BP opens its first electric truck charging stations to help with transportation decarbonization

BP has the world's first charging stations for electric trucks. Aral's retail location in Schwegenheim, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, is now live and open. Truck drivers can charge near strategic road networks, and manufacturers can test the charging capabilities of their electric trucks in real-world conditions. Daimler Truck and bp collaborated closely to understand the needs of a truck charging hub.

bp has opened its first ultra-fast charging stations aimed at medium and heavy-duty electric trucks to aid in the decarbonization of the sector, where tailpipe CO2 emissions have increased on average 2.2% annually since 2000, according to the IEAi.

The retail site in Schwegenheim, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, operated by bp's Aral brand, now has two state-of-the-art 300kw ultra-fast chargers intended for electric trucks, powered by 100% renewable energyii. The Schwegenheim site, located on the major B9 road, provides truck drivers with a convenient, safe, and well-lit charging station where an electric truck capable of charging at 300kw could increase its remaining range by around 150-200km during a driver's mandatory 45-minute breakiii. Additionally, the driver has access to additional services such as food and drink as well as toilets for their journeys.

"With the transition to electric vehicles well underway in Europe, we're now seeing the move towards electric trucks,"

said Emma Delaney, executive vice president, customers & products, BP.

Truck manufacturers and fleet operators are looking for low-carbon alternative fuels, and electrification is a viable option. The opening of our first truck charging facilities in Schwegenheim is a significant step forward for bp and the industry.

"Schwegenheim is a perfect example of what the industry requires: ultra-fast charging with safe truck charging bays, close proximity to strategic road networks, and a place where drivers can take a break and refresh with food and drinks."

Around 1,000 battery electric trucks will be sold in Germany by 2021. In Europe, that figure is expected to exceed 150,000 units by 2030, with Germany having the highest penetration (43%v).

Daimler Truck, one of the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, will launch its battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros for heavy urban distribution in 2021. The company has collaborated closely with bp to provide insights into the required layout, charging speeds, and convenience offers in order to provide truck drivers with the accessibility they require as well as a comfortable charging experience.

"I am pleased that bp and Aral pulse are still supporting the electrification of German truck fleets. Zero-emission trucks will be critical if we are to meet our decarbonisation targets and expand charging infrastructure across Germany. "This project is yet another milestone in Germany and Europe's electrification of mobility,"

says Kurt-Christoph von Knobelsdorff, CEO and spokesman for NOW GmbH, National Organization Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

bp is assisting fleets in hastening their transition to low-carbon vehicles, one method being electrification. It believes that key transportation corridors will benefit from an EV charging network. The charging stations in Schwegenheim expand Aral Pulse's nationwide network of ultra-fast chargers. Aral pulse is Germany's leading operator of public, high-power charging sites, with over 850 ultra-fast charge points for cars and light commercial vehicles located at its well-lit and manned Aral retail stations, which provide high reliability as well as additional convenience services.

Source: BP news