BP Maintains Global EV Charging Goals Despite Strategy Reset

British oil giant BP has reaffirmed its commitment to operating more than 100,000 electric vehicle charge points globally by 2030, maintaining its course even as the company prepares to unveil what it calls a “fundamental reset” of its strategy.

Richard Bartlett, chief executive of BP Pulse, the company’s charging infrastructure division, has confirmed that the ambitious target established under former chief executive Bernard Looney remains unchanged, citing strong business performance. The company has already achieved its interim goal of 40,000 charge points by 2025 ahead of schedule, with BP Pulse expected to reach break-even this year.

The commitment comes amid significant changes at BP, where new chief executive Murray Auchincloss is set to outline a fresh direction for the company on 26 February. The anticipated strategy shift follows BP’s underperformance compared to rivals like Shell, after Looney’s 2020 green energy pivot failed to deliver expected returns.

BP’s steadfast approach to EV charging contrasts sharply with competitor Shell, which dramatically scaled back its charging ambitions under CEO Wael Sawan. Shell reduced its 2030 target from 2.5 million charge points to 200,000, while BP maintains its more modest but consistent goal.

The company’s UK operations reflect this focused strategy, with approximately 7,900 chargers currently installed, including 3,500 rapid or ultrafast units. BP plans to at least double its ultra-fast charging network in Britain, supported by a £1 billion investment commitment this decade.

A notable milestone in BP’s EV strategy is the recent conversion of its Cromwell Road station in west London, which has become the company’s first former petrol station to be completely retrofitted with ultra-fast EV chargers. The site’s transformation, though delayed by lengthy planning processes, demonstrates BP’s practical commitment to the electric vehicle transition.