Daimler AG unit Daimler Mobility and BMW Group strengthened Digital Charging Solutions GmbH (DCS) by adding bp as the third shareholder in its European EV charging joint venture.
Under the agreement, bp will become a 33.3% partner in Europe’s leading developer of digital charging software for automotive manufacturers and vehicle fleet operators. bp’s acquisition of the stake in DCS will be subject to regulatory approval. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
DCS is working with OEMs to integrate its charging solutions into vehicle operating systems. The BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG operate mobility services under the umbrella of the YOUR NOW Joint Ventures. Digital Charging Solutions GmbH stands behind the CHARGE NOW brand and operates charging services such as “Mercedes me Charge”, “BMW Charging” and “MINI Charging”.
DCS already offers access to 228,000 charging points in 32 European countries. As part of the agreement, bp’s European charging networks will be integrated into the DCS’s network as well as fuel and charge for fleet customers, as a first step.
bp currently has around 8,700 charging points in Europe and its UK network bp pulse is already the most used EV charging network in the UK. The company is also rapidly growing its network of ultra-fast chargers and plans to have around 250 ultra-fast chargers operating at bp retail sites in the UK and 500 ultra-fast charging points across its retail sites in Germany by year end.
DCS customers will gain access to these additional charging points and bp will gain access to a wider customer base.
