BP’s plan to install electric vehicle charging points at its UK forecourts is being described as a significant milestone in the UK’s journey to embrace plug-in vehicles.

Welcoming the announcement, InstaVolt says a focus on public charging, rather than home-charging, will be key to encouraging drivers to go electric.

Tim Payne, CEO of InstaVolt, said: “If we were waiting for a big ‘penny drop’ moment then this is it. When one of the world’s biggest oil companies announces it’s embracing electric vehicle technology, you know that’s the future for our roads.

“With BP and Shell both backing EVs, it’s clear that the revolution is happening now. It’s important that smaller and independent forecourt owners follow suit swiftly and climb on board.

“When you combine this latest news from BP with the Government’s plans to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars in the UK from 2040 it’s quite clear the direction in which we’re headed.”

The announcement from BP comes after the head of BP Fuel Cards in the UK, Andy Allen, told Fleet News that charge points were a ‘logical step’ for the fuel giant earlier this year.

Payne continued: “Around a third of households don’t have off-street parking, which means the electric vehicle industry needs to be focuses on public, rather than home charging. Forecourts will play a huge role in that, being perfectly placed to house rapid charging units where people can charge up quickly en route.”