Bp Pulse has announced the acquisition of the freehold of one of the UK’s largest truck stops as part of plans to develop a Europe-wide network of electric truck charging infrastructure.
Located off Junction 10 and 10a of the M20, Ashford International Truckstop is close to Dover, one of the UK’s busiest ferry ports, and LeShuttle Freight via the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.
The 21-acre site is currently owned by GSE Group and offers 660 parking bays and convenience services for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.
As part of the agreement, Bp Pulse will lease back the site to Ashford International Truckstop Ltd, part of GSE Group, to operate the existing site facilities and secure parking on a long-term lease.
Bp Pulse will operate and manage the EV charging infrastructure.
With approximately 3.5 million HGVs travelling across the channel via the port of Dover and Eurotunnel each year, Bp aims to secure a burgeoning HGV-to-EV market as operators electrify their fleets in line with UK government net zero policies.
In 2023, Bp more than doubled the number of EV chargers available across its UK network as the company raced to facilitate the switch.
Stefan von Dobschuetz, general manager of Bp Pulse Europe, said: “For fleet operators to consider going electric, they must be confident that the infrastructure is in place to support them.
“That is why we are thrilled to have secured the land to a crucial site near Dover as we strive to meet the evolving needs of HGV operators transitioning to EVs.
“The location of this truck stop aligns with our mission to provide accessible and strategically positioned charging infrastructure for our customers along the major truck corridors in Europe.
“Now we need to unlock the EV charging potential at this site. We look forward to working with national energy infrastructure partners to facilitate timely power connections for our ambitious project.”
The Ashford site has capacity to host approximately 20MW chargers (MCS), 10 x 400kW and 125 x 100kW chargers.
According to Bp, this capacity is subject to power connection availability and the pace of electrification in the UK and European road freight sector.
What’s more, a MCS reportedly has the potential to fully recharge a HGV in up to 45 minutes, enabling an onward range of ~310 miles (500km) in a single charge, depending on the EV model, battery, weather and driving conditions.
The first MCS are expected to be in place from 2026 and could enable Bp Pulse to install a range of charging options suitable for both on-the-go and overnight HGVs.
Bp said it aims to create a network of mobility hubs along key logistics corridors across the UK and Europe, providing freight operators with a range of energy options, including conventional fuels to support its fleet customers as they decarbonise their vehicles.
