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BP invests in mobile electric vehicle charging company
BP Ventures has invested $5mn in FreeWire Technologies, a US-based manufacturer of mobile electric vehicle (EV) rapid charging systems, and plans to roll out FreeWire’s Mobi Charger units for use at selected BP retail sites in the UK and Europe during 2018.
Tufan Erginbilgic, Chief Executive, BP Downstream, said: ‘Mobility is changing and BP is committed to remaining the fuel retailer of choice into the future. EV charging will undoubtedly become an important part of our business, but customer demand and the technologies available are still evolving. Using FreeWire’s mobile system we can respond very quickly and provide charging facilities at forecourts where we see the greatest demand without needing to make significant investments in today’s fixed technologies and infrastructure. The opportunity also to explore options for providing charging services away from our existing retail sites makes FreeWire an ideal partner for BP.’
David Gilmour, Vice President of BP Ventures, added: ‘BP first worked with FreeWire through the RocketSpace Tech Mobility Accelerator, and we believe its mobile fast charging technology will be one of a number of fuelling options that will be needed to address the future of lower carbon mobility.’
FreeWire Mobi Charger
Photo: BP
News Item details
Journal title: Petroleum Review
Region: Europe|UK
Subjects: Banking, finance and investment, Economics, business and commerce, Electric vehicles, Electricity, Low carbon
