BP has released details of a project that will help the uptake of electric vehicles in the UK.

With BP the company has truly been going beyond petroleum recently with renewable acquisitions, and has now added an investment in US-based FreeWire, makers of mobile fast charging units for electric vehicles.

BP will be testing the Mobi fast chargers on its forecourts in the UK and Europe, with the mobile nature of the unit means that there will be no major fixed infrastructure costs.

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.”

Two years ago Mark Oil, a US distributor for BP, tested fast charging in 10 stations in Charlotte, for Nissan Leaf cars.

The investment is through BP Ventures, BP’s investment fund. 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. We were encouraged by FreeWire’s expertise and their product. We are excited to be making this investment and to continue working with them, testing customer demand for the product and further developing the offering for the fast growing EV supply equipment market.”

Since 2006, BP Ventures has invested over $400 million in corporate venturing and has 42 active investments in its current portfolio.

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