The sites will now operate under the Essent brand, with charging stations displaying the note “Operated by E.ON Drive.” In this way, Essent is expanding its existing energy offer to include public fast charging. E.ON Drive Infrastructure remains the owner of the charging infrastructure and will be responsible for the investment, installation, operation and maintenance. Essent, as a customer-facing brand, will be responsible for marketing and communications.
Most of the acquired sites are located at OK gas stations along high-traffic transportation corridors. This follows BP’s withdrawal from the Dutch service and charging station business. Catom had already taken over the old BP stations and continues to operate them under the OK brand. The charging infrastructure at these sites will now be transferred to E.ON Drive Infrastructure. The parties involved have not disclosed any financial details.
The network uses Alpitronic fast chargers with up to 300 kW of charging power. According to operators, this allows vehicles to reach a charge level of up to 80 percent in about 20 minutes, depending on the model.
17 of the sites are designed as so-called Mega Charging Hubs. Fast chargers with battery backup are being installed at 51 other sites. These charge their integrated storage systems over relatively small network connections, allowing them to provide high charging power even in locations with limited network capacity.
Up to 300 kW at fast charging points
Charging is possible using standard charging cards and apps, as well as contactless payment via credit or debit card. Former BP Pulse customers will be able to continue using their existing cards and apps. According to the companies, all charging points supply certified ecological electricity.
The acquisition also includes 45 secure development sites for new rapid charging centres, which will be implemented step by step over the coming years. In addition, E.ON Drive Infrastructure will now also operate its existing 46 fast charging points in the Netherlands under the Essent brand.
With this expansion, Essent aims to immediately become one of the largest providers of public fast charging infrastructure in the Netherlands. E.ON Drive Infrastructure itself describes the network as one of the largest public fast charging networks in Europe.
The sale in the Netherlands is part of a broader withdrawal by BP from mobility assets across Europe. In France, Sorégies will take over more than 600 existing BP Pulse charging points and almost 200 more under development. In Austria, BP is selling 250 fuel stations along with its charging infrastructure and fleet business to Volenergy. In Germany, however, the company is still active in the cargo business through Aral Pulse.
mobileenergy.com, essent.nl (in Dutch), linkedin.com
