Marks & Spencer and bp pulse have signed an exclusive agreement to bring high-speed electric vehicle charge points to the M&S store estate across the UK.
The agreement is said to see M&S and bp pulse work together to install an initial 900 electric vehicle charge points in around 70 of M&S’ national stores in the next two years.
The roll out aims to significantly expand bp pulse’s network, growing the UK’s charging network and adding up to 40,000 kWhs of charging capacity to the UK’s EV infrastructure.
Sacha Berendji; Director of Operations said: “At M&S we’re reshaping the business for sustainable future growth in every sense. From our award-winning Shwopping initiative to our Fill Your Own refill concept, EV charging is the latest feature to ensure we have a store estate fit for the future, to help our customers live lower carbon lives. We know that services like EV charging are in demand from our customers, so we’re delighted to be offering this service and give more reasons for customers to shop with us.”
The press release stated that in order to provide appropriate speed for each need, a combination of ultra-fast and rapid charge points will be installed during the roll out. 15 rapid charge points are already live and open to the public at M&S Maidstone Eclipse and Southgate following a successful pilot.
The two companies have a long-standing relationship as they first joined forces back in 2005 to introduce M&S Food stores at bp retail sales. Over 250 bp pulse charge points are already available at over 60 bp-operated forecourts which also offers M&S Food.
Akira Kirton, CEO at bp pulse UK said: “We aim to provide fast, reliable, and convenient EV charging to our customers that fits in with their busy lifestyles and so, we are excited to extend our relationship with M&S to put high-speed charge points at their stores, growing our network even further. This is exactly the kind of collaboration the UK needs to help accelerate the transition to lower carbon transport and we’re delighted to be working with M&S to make that happen.”
Bp has plans to invest up to £18 million in the UK energy system by 2030 while M&S’ Plan A goal is to become fully net zero by 2040. Both have incredible climate commitments, and this partnership will help cut emissions across the country.
The roll out of the EV chargers is expected to be complete within the next 24 months. Each charger will have a minimum capacity of 50kW.
Also in the news:
Ford Motor Company and DTE Energy announce the largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in US history
SK IE Technology to enter Southeast Asian and North American EV battery market
CATL is said to be considering two new factory locations in Mexico
Tesla pilots open access to Supercharger Network in the Netherlands