BP is set to invest up to £50 million in a new electric vehicle (EV) battery testing centre and analytical laboratory in the UK.

The petrol giant plans for the new facilities, located at the global headquarters for its Castrol business in Pangbourne, Berkshire, to open by the end of 2024.

The Pangbourne site already undertakes research into developing fuels and EV fluids, and BP aims for it to become a leading hub for fluid technologies and engineering in the UK.

BP says the new facilities will help advance the development of leading fluid technologies and engineering for hybrid and fully battery electric vehicles, aiming to bring the industry closer to achieving the key tipping points for mainstream electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

Castrol ON advanced e-fluids manage temperatures within the battery which enables fast charging and improves efficiency, BP said, which help EVs to go further on a single charge and extend the life of the drivetrain system.

Louise Kingham, UK head of country at BP, commented: “We’re backing Britain. We’re fully committed to the UK’s energy transition.

“This additional investment will help accelerate the transition to EVs by developing solutions to help decarbonise the transport sector.”

She added: “This is another example of our ambitious plans to do more, and go faster.”

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