BP Pulse is one of the UK’s largest and most comprehensive EV charging networks. It describes itself as the country’s only fully integrated end-to-end manufacturer and operator of charging infrastructure. Since its origins as Chargemaster in 2008, it has grown significantly, becoming part of BP in 2018 and rebranding as BP Pulse in 2020. Today, BP Pulse operates over 9,000 charge points across the UK, including more than 3,000 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, with ambitious plans to expand further.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using the BP Pulse charging network, from finding BP Pulse chargers near you, identifying chargers, payment methods, costs, and additional features.
Where Can I Find BP Pulse Charging Points?
BP Pulse charge points are primarily concentrated in high-traffic areas such as London, the Home Counties, and the North-West and North-East of England. There are also a reasonable number of chargers in Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, the availability of BP Pulse chargers is much more limited in other regions, such as Northern Ireland, Wales, and the South-West of England.
To find a BP Pulse charging station near you, you can use:
- Zap-Map – A widely used EV charging locator.
- BP Pulse’s Own Map – Available via their website or mobile app.
What does a BP Pulse Charging Point Look Like?
BP Pulse charge points are typically white with blue highlights, featuring the distinctive blue-and-yellow BP Pulse logo. There are three main types of BP Pulse chargers to look out for:
- Pulse150 – Ultra-fast 150kW chargers suitable for rapid top-ups.
- Pulse50 – 50kW rapid chargers, commonly found in urban locations.
- Pulse7 – 7kW fast chargers, ideal for longer parking stays such as overnight charging.
How to Use the BP Pulse Charging Network
Using a BP Pulse charging point is straightforward. Here’s how:
Step 1: Plug in Your Vehicle
- If using a 7kW charger, you will need your own Type 2 charging cable.
- For 50kW, 150kW, or 300kW chargers, use the tethered cable provided.
Step 2: Start the Charging Session
Theres a few options to start charging:
- Using the BP Pulse App:
- Enter the charge point ID and tap ‘Start Charge’.
- Or, locate the charge point on the live map and initiate charging.
- Contactless Payment (for rapid or ultra-rapid chargers):
- Tap your bank card or mobile payment device (Apple Pay, Google Pay) on the terminal.
- Tap your bank card or mobile payment device (Apple Pay, Google Pay) on the terminal.
- RFID Card:
- If you have a BP Pulse RFID charge card, tap it on the reader to start the session.
Step 3: Monitor Your Charge
- On 3-7kW chargers, green lights next to the socket indicate a successful connection.
- On 50kW+ chargers, the screen will display the charging status.
- The BP Pulse app allows you to track progress in real time.
Step 4: Stop Charging and Unplug
- If using the app, tap ‘Stop Charge’.
- If using contactless payment or an RFID card, tap again to end the session.
- Remove the charging cable (on tethered units, it will automatically unlock).
Important: Avoid pressing the red emergency stop button unless absolutely necessary, as it will disable the charger until an engineer resets it.
How Much Does BP Pulse Charging Cost?
BP Pulse’s pricing varies based on charger speed and whether you have a subscription. Here’s a breakdown of the latest tariffs:
BP Pulse Pricing (per kWh)
| Charger Type | Subscriber | Pay-as-you-go | Contactless |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7kW AC | £0.44 | £0.59 | £0.59 |
| Rapid 43kW / 50kW | £0.53 – £0.63 | £0.67 – £0.77 | £0.79 – £0.85 |
| Ultra-fast 150kW+ | £0.59 – £0.69 | £0.73 – £0.83 | £0.85 – £0.89 |
Subscription Benefits (£7.85/month):
- 20% savings compared to contactless rates.
- Access to the lowest BP Pulse charging tariffs.
- A free BP Pulse RFID charge card for easy use.
- First month free for new subscribers.
BP Pulse Payment Options
BP Pulse provides four ways to pay for charging:
- Subscriber Plan (£7.85/month) – Best rates and an RFID card.
- Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) – No subscription, but access to the BP Pulse app for slightly reduced rates.
- Contactless Payment – Quick and easy, available on rapid and ultra-fast chargers (not supported on 7kW points).
- Online Payment – Visit BP Pulse’s live map to pay via credit/debit card without an account.
Note: Contactless payments may trigger a temporary pre-authorisation hold on your account, which will be adjusted once the final charge is processed.
Checking Your Charging History
BP Pulse users can track their charging history in different ways:
- Subscribers & PAYG Users: Check transaction history in the BP Pulse app under ‘Profile’ → ‘Recent Transactions’.
- Contactless Users: Charging history is not available in the app; check your bank statement instead.
BP Pulse’s Future Plans
BP Pulse is heavily investing in the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, committing £1 billion over the next 10 years. Key plans include:
- Tripling the number of charge points across the UK.
- Expanding high-powered 300kW charging hubs at key motorway locations.
- Installing more EV chargers at BP forecourts.
The Final Word on the BP Pulse Network
A BP Pulse subscription is pretty good value. If you only use the network occasionally, you can still rely on contactless or PAYG options. To get the best experience, download the BP Pulse app to locate chargers, track charges, and manage payments with ease.
MORE> Using the IONITY Charging Network
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
