BP Pulse secures truckstop near Dover for HGV charging

The freehold of one of the largest truck stops in Europe has been acquired by BP Pulse, BP's electric vehicle charging brand.

The stop in Ashford International Truckstop in Kent will form part of BP's plan to create a Europe-wide network of electric truck charging infrastructure.

The site has the capacity to host approximately 20 mega-watt chargers (MCS), 10 x 400kW and 125 x 100 kW chargers - with the first expected to be in place from 2026.

Located off Junction 10 and 10a of the M20, Ashford International Truckstop is close to Dover, the UK’s busiest ferry port, and LeShuttle Freight via the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.

Approximately 3.5 million Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) travel across the channel via the port of Dover and Eurotunnel each year.  

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."

He added that is "thrilled" to secure the land near Dover as they can "strive to meet the evolving needs of HGV operators transitioning to EVs."

Von Dobschuetz continued: "We look forward to working with national energy infrastructure partners to facilitate timely power connections for our ambitious project.”

A mega-watt charger has the potential to fully charge an HGV in up to 45 minutes, enabling an onward range of ~310 miles (500km) in a single charge1, depending on EV model, battery, the weather and driving conditions.