bp pulse, the electric vehicle charging division of BP, has acquired one of the largest truck stops in Europe, Ashford International Truckstop in Kent, marking a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) across Europe.

Situated near the critical Dover ferry port and the LeShuttle Freight terminal in Folkestone, the truckstop is strategically placed off Junction 10 of the M20. This location is pivotal for the approximately 3.5 million HGVs that traverse the English Channel via Dover and the Eurotunnel annually.

The truckstop boasts the potential to accommodate an extensive range of charging units, including 20 mega-watt chargers, 10 units of 400kW, and 125 units of 100 kW chargers. However, the implementation of this capacity is contingent upon the availability of power connections and the advancement of electrification within the UK and European road freight sectors.

bp pulse anticipates initiating the installation of mega-watt chargers by 2026. These chargers are capable of fully charging an HGV within approximately 45 minutes, offering a subsequent range of about 500km. This range is subject to factors such as battery capacity, weather conditions, and driving habits.

Stefan von Dobschuetz, General Manager of bp pulse Europe, emphasized the importance of reliable infrastructure for fleet operators considering the switch to electric vehicles. He highlighted the acquisition of this crucial site near Dover as a major step towards supporting HGV operators in their transition to EVs. Von Dobschuetz expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with national energy infrastructure partners to ensure the project’s success.

The site, currently a 21-acre facility owned by the GSE Group, offers 660 secure parking spaces and various amenities for HGV drivers. Following the acquisition, BP Pulse will enter into a long-term lease agreement with Ashford International Truckstop Ltd, a GSE Group entity, to continue operating the existing facilities. Meanwhile, bp pulse will take charge of the EV charging infrastructure.

Darrell Healey, Chairman of GSE Group, shared his optimism about the partnership, underlining the growing demand for electric charging solutions among their clients. Healey praised the collaboration between the operational expertise of the Ashford truckstop and bp pulse’s proficiency in developing EV charging infrastructure as a forward-looking alliance poised to cater to the needs of electric HGVs and future ventures in the UK’s truck stop sector.