UK petrol station group acquires Tesla ultra-fast chargers in first for Europe
15Nov
posted by: Sophia Bell, Group Editor
In a strategic move to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, British petrol station operator EG Group has announced the acquisition of Tesla ultra-fast charging units.
The announcement comes as the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, as the UK’s deadline for its ban of petrol and diesel vehicles – now delayed to 2035 – approaches.
The deal signifies a milestone for both EG Group and Tesla, marking the first agreement of its kind in Europe between Tesla and a third-party charge point operator.
The chargers, expected to be branded as 'evpoint', will not only utilise Tesla's technology, but will also support the ‘Plug and Charge’ protocol, simplifying and automating payment processes for users.
The chargers will operate on an open network basis, allowing all EV drivers, regardless of their vehicle's brand, to access the evpoint chargers.
Zuber Issa CBE, Founder and co-CEO of EG Group, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "Securing this best-in-class equipment from Tesla marks another milestone for evpoint and is hugely exciting for us. This deal will accelerate the delivery of vital charging infrastructure for motorists to help power the transition to net zero."
The deal follows Tesla's commitment in February to open part of its US charging network to rival EVs, aligning with a $7.5 billion federal programme aimed at expanding EV use and reducing carbon emissions.
Other major players in the automotive industry, including BP and Ford, have also recently announced plans to incorporate Tesla's ultra-fast chargers into their charging networks.
Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla's Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure, commented: “The rapid installation of reliable, easy-to-use EV charging infrastructure is the right step towards a sustainable future and a key area of focus for us at Tesla.
“For this reason, we’re excited to make our fast-charging hardware available for purchase to EG Group, and other leaders in the space.”
In a statement, EG Group outlined a three-pronged strategy to achieve its energy transition goals. This involves expanding EV charging infrastructure, supporting alternative vehicular fuels, and making broader commitments to carbon reduction.
These initiatives play a central role in EG Group's overarching objective of contributing to the global shift towards a lower carbon future. The company has already achieved significant progress in EV charging, deploying over 600 chargers across 189 sites.
Tesla’s chargers are anticipated to be rolled out by EG Group by the end of the year.
Looking ahead, EG Group has ambitious plans for its evpoint initiative, with a pipeline in place to roll out more than 20,000 chargers across approximately 3,600 of its own sites over time. Additionally, the company is actively exploring opportunities to extend its footprint to third-party locations.
