bp funds EV battery fluids and thermal management research centre

Global energy giant bp is to invest up to £50 million in an electric vehicle (EV) battery testing centre and analytical laboratory within its existing global headquarters for its Castrol business at Pangbourne in Berkshire.

Planned to open by the end of 2024, the site already undertakes research and development of fuels, lubricants and EV fluids and aims to become a leading hub for fluid technologies and engineering in the UK.

Castrol intends to use the new facilities to work with car manufacturers and suppliers to co-engineer future battery technology and associated thermal management fluids. It will also look to develop future technologies required to enable the ultra-fast charging which underpins the growth strategy of the group’s EV infrastructure provider bp pulse. 

Richard Bartlett, senior vice president, bp pulse said, “At bp pulse we aim to provide the fastest and most reliable charging experience to our EV customers and continue to invest in our rapid and ultra-fast network globally for passenger cars and trucks. This investment will help us co-develop battery and charger technology and digital solutions with our OEM partners to help EVs go further, charge faster and last longer.”

The new facilities will help advance the development of leading fluid technologies and engineering for hybrid and fully battery electric vehicles, aiming to bring the industry closer to achieving the key tipping points for mainstream electric vehicle adoption. Castrol ON advanced e-fluids manage temperatures within the battery which enables ultra-fast charging and improves efficiency.

Michelle Jou, CEO Castrol said, “We are committed to supporting the electrification of transport and the take-up of electric vehicles. The growth of EV fluids is a huge opportunity, and this significant new investment will now allow us to build additional strategic technologies and capabilities to further advance EV fluids for the future.”

In addition, the advanced e-fluid technologies and engineering can be applied to other industries such as thermal management fluids for data centres where demand is rising exponentially. Most of the world’s internet traffic goes through data centres and since 2010 the number of internet users worldwide has doubled, while global internet traffic has increased 15-fold a trend expected to continue over the next decade.