bp Pulse
ActiveOverview
bp pulse is a supplier of electric vehicle charging infrastructure operating across the UK and internationally. The company provides charging units for home, business, and public use, operating one of the largest EV charging networks in the UK with over 8,000 charge points as of 2024, including over 3,000 high-speed chargers. bp pulse serves individual EV owners, fleet operators, and businesses through subscription services, pay-per-use charging, and strategic partnerships, positioning itself as a key player in the UK's EV charging market.
History
Chargemaster Limited was founded in 2008 by David Martell in Luton, with early investors including BMW i Ventures and Qualcomm. The company launched its POLAR network of public charging points in 2011, which grew to over 5,000 points by 2017. BP acquired Chargemaster in June 2018 for £130 million and rebranded it as BP Chargemaster, followed by a further rebrand to 'bp pulse' in December 2020. The company was the first to manufacture electric vehicle rapid chargers in the UK and has expanded its operations internationally to Germany, Netherlands, USA, China, and Australia.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Home Charging Solutions | Residential EV charging for individual owners | $500 - $3,000 |
| Public Charging Network (bp pulse) | Pay-as-you-go and subscription-based public charging | $0.50 - $2.00 per kWh |
| Business Charging Infrastructure | Commercial and fleet charging solutions | $2,000 - $50,000 |
| Rapid Charging Points | High-speed public charging for long-distance travel | $1.50 - $3.50 per kWh |
| Ultra-Fast Charging | Premium high-speed charging for commercial use | $2.00 - $4.00 per kWh |
| Fleet Charging Solutions | Dedicated charging for commercial vehicle fleets | Custom pricing |
Manufacturing
bp pulse operates as a charging infrastructure provider rather than a manufacturer of charging equipment. The company designs and deploys charging stations through partnerships and strategic collaborations with technology providers. Manufacturing and installation of physical charging units is handled through outsourced partners and vendors, with bp pulse focusing on network operation, management, and customer service.
Notable Products
- bp pulse Card - RFID card and fob system for seamless access to the charging network across multiple locations
- POLAR Network - The original public charging network launched in 2011, now rebranded as bp pulse, with over 8,000 charge points
- Rapid Chargers - Fast-charging infrastructure for public use, representing over 3,000 of the network's charge points as of 2024
- Home Charging Units - Residential charging solutions for individual EV owners with installation and support services
- Fleet Charging Management - Comprehensive charging solutions for commercial fleets with monitoring and optimization tools
- Subscription Schemes - Monthly subscription access to the charging network with competitive rates and priority access
Reputation
bp pulse is recognized as a leading and established player in the UK EV charging infrastructure market with a substantial network and first-mover advantage in rapid charger manufacturing. The company benefits from BP's corporate backing and resources, enabling expansion and investment in technology. Strengths include extensive network coverage, reliable infrastructure, and multi-country operations. Criticisms focus on pricing competitiveness relative to emerging competitors and occasional network reliability concerns, though the company maintains a commitment to sustainability and supporting the transition to electric mobility.