bp signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with North American rental car company Hertz Corp. to to develop a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the U.S., according to a company press release on Sept. 27.

Powered by bp's global electrification and charging business, bp pulse, the partnership aims to spread the accessibility of EV charging ports and EV adoption in North America.

This MOU represents the latest in bp's efforts to increase EV availability, having partnered with Spain's Iberdrola to increase EV charging ports in Europe in July 2022. The company has a target of installing over 100,000 chargers globally by 2030, 90% of which would be ultra-fast chargers, through partnerships with several fleet operators.

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“It’s brilliant to be joining forces with Hertz – quite simply, they are one of the biggest names on the road," bp CEO Bernard Looney said in the release. "Working together to deliver charging facilities and design solutions, we believe we can take the EV driving experience to the next level for U.S. customers."

Under the MOU, bp pulse will manage Hertz's chargers and customize its Omega software - which automates fleet charging while providing real-time visibility to EVs, chargers and power usage - to effectively grow Hertz's EV rental fleet and ensure cars are recharged quickly between rentals, the companies stated.

Hertz has cultivated its EV fleet through purchases from Tesla, Polestar and General Motors, reaching tens of thousands of vehicles available in 38 states across 500 Hertz locations.

The company aims to make one-quarter of its fleet electric by the end of 2024 and is helping achieve that goal through the investment of thousands to charging stations at its locations, boosted by its partnership with bp pulse.

“Hertz is accelerating the adoption of electrification by investing in the largest rental fleet of electric vehicles in North America and expanding the availability of charging stations," Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr commented in the release.

"We are excited to partner with bp pulse to create a national charging infrastructure for the Hertz EV fleet, thereby growing the number of charging options available to our customers and providing them with a premium electric experience and lower emission travel options,” he continued.

bp ventured into the North American EV market through the acquisition of fleet charging and energy management company Amply Power in 2021, rebranding it as bp pulse. It has since installed charging infrastructure at 25 Hertz rental locations this year and intends to expand further through the growing partnership.

"This is just the start for bp pulse in the United States,” Looney said.

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