BP Pulse, the electric vehicle (EV) charging network owned and operated by oil and gas supermajor BP, has broken ground on its first large-scale charging hub in Australia, a 24-bay site at Melbourne Airport that it plans to complete later this year.
The new BP Pulse charging hub will feature 24 charging bays consisting of 150- and 300- kilowatt (kW) chargers, two accessible bays, drive-through bays for larger vehicles, a bathroom, and a canopy.
The charging hub will set within the Melbourne Airport precinct on the corner of Airport Drive and Francis Briggs Road, in between a DHL depot and the Melrose Lounge, and close to the existing Value Car Park and the Melbourne Airport Wait Zone and Ring & Ride.
Importantly, the new charging hub will also be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity generated from Melbourne Airport’s two onsite solar farms.
“Since 2022 we’ve been building a network of EV charging sites around the country to support our customers on the road to electrification,” said Antoine Denis, general manager of BP Pulse Australia.
“Now, with the backing of over 41,000 BP Pulse charging bays across the world, we’re leveraging our global EV charging expertise to bring bp pulse’s first large-scale charging hub to Australia.
“Conveniently positioned in the Melbourne Airport precinct, we want to ensure this charging hub offers a quick and seamless way for drivers to recharge and get back on the road.”
BP Pulse says has installed more than 290 EV charging bays across virtually all of Australia since it launched in 2022, and with around 34,000 vehicles visiting Australia’s second busiest airport, BP Pulse expects that its new charging hub will support professional drivers, businesses, travellers, and locals to easily recharge their EVs.
It will also enable EV-owning Uber drivers to charge up using the Uber EV charging discount, which offers a 5-8c/kWh base discount.
News of the EV hub’s start of construction was also welcomed by Melbourne Airport, with the hope that it will benefit not only the airport precinct but also the local community.
“Not only will this be the first of its scale at an Australian airport, but we’re proud that BP Pulse has chosen to power the hub with 100 per cent renewable electricity generated from Melbourne Airport’s two onsite solar farms,” said Jai McDermott, Melbourne Airport chief of ground transport, property, and retail.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.