Public electric vehicle (EV) charging network bp pulse and APCOA Parking Group have signed a strategic pan-European agreement to open more than 100 EV charging hubs across Europe.

Under the agreement, bp pulse plans to install ultra-rapid charging at APCOA car parks -‘Urban Hubs’ – in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and the UK over the next three years to help expand its charging network in city centres and further accelerate urban e-mobility infrastructure throughout Europe.

The project is part of APCOA’s plans to transform its car parks into Urban Hubs, which will provide physical and digital infrastructure for mobility, logistics, EV charging and technology-based services.

Two Urban Hubs in Berlin and Bremen in Germany are expected to open in the third quarter of 2023. These will be the first locations to offer ultra-rapid charging, which can charge a minimum of six cars, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be operated by Aral pulse, bp’s German brand.

To make the most of downtime whilst charging, some of the hubs will also offer a ‘driver lounge’ including a vending offer of hot and cold drinks, seating areas with phone charging points, free Wi-Fi and restrooms will be available.

“This agreement will help us to build our EV charging network across Europe by offering customers the fastest and most convenient EV hub charging experience,” said Stefan von Dobschuetz, General Manager Europe at bp pulse.

“By working with APCOA, we’re bringing the future of parking, charging and services for urban life in one place.”

Some of the charging hubs will offer a ‘driver lounge’.

With the incoming ban on ICE vehicles across Europe in 2035, alongside measures to equip up to 30% of public parking spaces with charging facilities for electric cars, bp pulse and APCOA’s Urban Hubs will offer one solution in well-lit city-centre parking where available land is often scarce.

“Working with bp pulse is another step to achieve our plan to deploy 1,000 charging stations through commercial partners in APCOA’s car parks,” said Philippe Op de Beeck, CEO at APCOA.

“Doing so, we are providing customers added services in our locations and make a relevant contribution to the transformation of individual mobility.”