Bp Pulse, the global oil leader’s charging infrastructure unit, is teaming up with Hertz to build a network of fast EV chargers in high-demand locations such as airports. The project aims to accelerate EV adoption by providing charging solutions where they are needed most.
In September, Hertz and Bp signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) develop, develop national EV charging network. Plans include using Bp Pulse, the oil giant’s EV charging arm, to lead the rollout.
Through the partnership, Bp Pulse manages the Hertz EV charging infrastructure, providing its Omega software to display real-time data such as energy consumption, prices and more.
Having charging solutions makes sense as Hertz rapidly expands its fleet of zero-emission electric vehicles. It started with an order of 100,000 Tesla Model 3s last year, while later adding Model Y options.
In April, the rental car company said it would introduce 65,000 Polestar EVs to its fleet over the next five years. And just recently, Hertz placed a massive order for 175,000 GM electric cars. Through these initiatives, Hertz has tens of thousands of electric vehicles in 38 US states.
Perhaps more important is where those engines are headed. In most cases, when you rent a car, you leave it at or near the airport.
BP Pulse and Hertz expand EV charging initiative
The partnership’s first planned location is at a Hertz location near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), serving as a hub primarily for vehicle and taxi fleets.
A $2 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) will partially fund the project near LAX, with Bp Pulse responsible for installing and managing the infrastructure.
The development of the new EV charging center is designed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles while providing the necessary infrastructure to ease the transition.
Jeff Nieman, senior vice president of operational initiatives at Hertz, says:
Our goal is to provide Hertz customers with access to a nationwide network of chargers that makes the electric vehicle rental experience convenient and hassle-free. Ride-sharing drivers are essential to the mobility landscape, and more than 25,000 Uber drivers have rented electric cars through Hertz to date. We are excited to partner with bp pulse to offer this charging hub to these drivers at one of the great Hertz sites near LAX. And that’s just the beginning.
Although no specifics were provided, the new project aims to “mitigate the environmental impact” of the significant growth of ridesharing in Los Angeles’ transportation. Electric shared devices are one of the most common users of EV chargers.
According to Patty Monohan, California’s lead energy transportation commissioner:
Vehicles used by California’s transit fleets make up 2.5 percent of the vehicle population, but consume 30 percent of all public fast-charging systems. The California Energy Commission is proud to support projects like bp pulse’s Gigahub network near LAX in partnership with Hertz, two transportation hubs working together to help electrify rental vehicles and fleets and reduce pollution in communities .
Bp aims to roll out 100,000 EV chargers by the end of the decade through its BP Pulse division.
Electrek’s Take
It is interesting that a global oil giant like Bp is leading an initiative to install fast chargers to accelerate EV adoption, as the same innovation looks set to destroy the company’s industry.
At the same time, installing fast chargers near airports and other high-demand areas makes sense. Several new initiatives are already accelerating the demand for zero-emission EVs, and it is predicted to intensify from here.
Does Bp see the writing on the wall that electric vehicles are the future? Earlier this year, Bp said that EV charging stations are approaching petrol pumps in terms of profitability.
The oil company has invested heavily in EV charging through BP Pulse, working with several companies such as Volkswagen and Tritium to deploy infrastructure.
I think it’s telling to see Bp, one of the top ten global oil companies, progressively getting deeper into EV charging, the same progress designed to stop fossil fuel use and associated air pollution.
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This oil giant and Hertz are building a massive fast-charging network for EV rentals starting at LAX
