The new ‘ultra-rapid’ chargers will be installed on UK forecourts in 2019 and are even faster than the well-known Tesla Supercharger system. This will enable cars like the new Audi e-tron to charge up from 20 to 200 miles of range in under 30 minutes. BP Chargemaster has developed technology that will offer the fastest top-ups to date for electric cars. According to Vicky Parrott, Associate Editor of DrivingElectric.com, the move heralds another major step toward electric vehicles entering the mainstream.
DrivingElectric.com recently reported that sales of pure electric vehicles in October this year were 86.9 percent higher than in the same month a year ago, and even used electric cars saw a rise in sales of 8.3 percent during the third quarter of 2018, as fears about battery reliability begin to reduce among curious consumers.
The ultra-low emissions of electric cars and hybrids are now proving a major attraction for motorists, often driven by increasing financial penalties for more polluting vehicles. Between low tax and fuel costs, and the prospect of free entry to emissions-restricted city centres, electric cars are becoming an increasingly cost-effective choice for ordinary drivers.
“As soon as BP Chargemaster revealed their plans to us, I knew it was a game-changer” said Ms Parrott. “Even now that EV choice, price and range are coming within reach of ordinary motorists, everyone knows that one of the factors still making drivers hesitate is mid-journey charging time. Cutting the time it takes to get back on the road to within the space of a short comfort and coffee break will remove another barrier to adoption by significantly cutting longer journey times. People tell us that range on a single charge is their biggest worry, but when you dig deeper you find that if a much faster charge is possible, it goes a long way toward reducing that concern. The imminent arrival of BP Chargemaster’s new ultra-rapid charging network can only add momentum to the pure electric-car market as it heads for a breakthrough into mainstream motoring”.
Tom Callow of BP Chargemaster added that BP believes that fast and convenient charging is critical to support the successful adoption of electric vehicles. In 2019, BP Chargemaster will begin the rollout of 150kW ultra-rapid chargers on BP forecourts, which will provide the fastest rate of charging for electric cars currently on the market.
The rollout of 150kW ultra-rapid chargers will complement BP Chargemaster's existing network of 50kW rapid chargers and destination chargers, which will continue to be expanded. The planning for the forecourt rollout is underway and we will be communicating further details when we can.
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