Iberdrola signs strategic alliance with bp to accelerate the deployment of electric mobility

Iberdrola and bp have signed a strategic alliance to accelerate the energy transition to sustainable mobility. 

The companies, which announced their intention to form a joint venture in July 2022, plan to invest 1 billion euros to deploy a network of 11,700 fast and ultra-fast charging points in Spain and Portugal. The signing of this strategic alliance is a step forward in the future formation of the joint venture, subject to the necessary regulatory and competition approvals, which, once obtained, are expected in the second half of 2023.

Once approved, the joint venture will enable Iberdrola and bp to significantly expand the fast public electric vehicle charging infrastructure that will accelerate electric vehicle penetration in Spain and Portugal. 

The Chairman of Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán, said that "this strategic alliance enables progress in the electrification of transport as a key element to reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency. Iberdrola and bp contribute with this agreement to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles and generate industrial development in Spain".

Bernard Looney, CEO of bp, said: "Agreements like this can help people and businesses decarbonise sooner. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can deploy lower carbon mobility solutions at scale for our customers". "We have great respect for Iberdrola, who has been one of the first companies to lead the energy transition, and I believe this agreement will bring significant benefits to both our customers and our partners," he said.  

This agreement calls for the installation and operation of 5,000 fast charging points by 2025, with 11,700 points to be reached by 2030. To achieve this goal, bp and Iberdrola will contribute their existing and future fast charging points to the joint venture.

The two companies are working together to develop joint solutions for public and domestic charging in the UK.

The joint venture will maximise the capabilities of both companies to meet all the needs of electric vehicle users. 

Iberdrola leads the public charging infrastructure in Spain and Portugal with more than 3,500 points in operation and others under development, which rely on renewable energy to achieve the decarbonisation of transport, serving more than 100,000 users. It also offers solutions for electric vehicle users: residential, business and public recharging, including solutions for urban and heavy transport (electrification of buses and trucks).

The goal of bp is to rapidly expand its electric vehicle charging points worldwide, and to continue to invest in fast and ultra-fast charging infrastructure. Electric vehicle drivers can already access bp's European network of more than 10,000 charging points, mainly in the UK and Germany.

The joint venture will use part of bp's extensive network of service stations as electric vehicle charging hubs in Spain and Portugal.