BP has invested $5 million in FreeWire Technologies, a US-based manufacturer of mobile rapid charging systems for battery-powered vehicles (BPVs) which it plans to roll-out for use at selected fuel stations across the UK this year.
David Gilmour, vice-president of BP Ventures, explained: “BP first worked with FreeWire through the Rocket Space Tech Mobility Accelerator, and we believe its mobile fast charging technology will be one of a number of fuelling options that will be needed to address the future of lower carbon mobility.
“We are excited to be making this investment and to continue working with them, testing customer demand for the product and further developing the offering for the fast growing BPV supply equipment market.”
Meanwhile, British Business Secretary Greg Clark yesterday formally opened a new factory in capable of making 100,000 battery-powered drive units for electric vehicles.
Up to 150 new jobs will also be created at the YASA plant in Oxfordshire, with 80% of the units destined for export to China.
Clarke said: “YASA’s electric motors will help towards our ambition to be at the forefront of the BPV production, powering the next generation of innovative, environmentally-friendly vehicles, with leading auto companies like Jaguar using YASA motors to give its models like the C-X-75 the speed of a Bugatti Veyron but the emissions of a Toyota Prius.”
2 Feb 2018
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