Truck

BP Pulse acquires Ashford Truckstop freehold

21 March 2024 #Truck

BP Pulse has acquired the freehold of Ashford International Truckstop in Kent as part of its plans to build a network of EV charging infrastructure across Europe.

Located off Junction 10 and 10a of the M20, the truck stop is close to Dover and LeShuttle Freight via the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.

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

The chargers have the potential to fully charge an HGV in up to 45 minutes, enabling an onward range of 310 miles on a single charge.

BP Pulse, which will operate and manage the EV charging infrastructure, will lease back the site to Ashford International Truckstop, part of GSE Group, to operate the existing site facilities and secure parking on a long-term lease.

The 21-acre site already offers 660 secure parking bays and convenience services for HGV drivers.

Stefan von Dobschuetz, General Manager of BP Pulse Europe, said: “The location of this truck stop aligns with our mission to provide accessible and strategically positioned charging infrastructure for our customers along the major truck corridors in Europe.”

Darrell Healey, Chairman of GSE Group, said: “We know the industry, including many of our clients, want to go electric.

“They will need convenient and quick charging infrastructure in the right locations, which is why the combination of the truck stop at Ashford and BP Pulse works so well.”

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