bp has unveiled plans to invest up to £50 million (around $60 million) in a new, state-of-the-art EV battery testing center and analytical laboratory in the UK.

The new facilities, which are planned to open by the end of 2024, will be located at bp’s existing global headquarters for its Castrol business in Pangbourne, Berkshire, and will support the technology, engineering and science roles housed there today. The site already undertakes research and development of fuels, lubricants and EV fluids.

Castrol will 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 for the ultra-fast charging which underpins bp pulse’s growth strategy.

Castrol ON e-fluids manage temperatures within battery packs. The technologies and engineering can also be applied to other industries such as thermal management fluids for data centers.

“The growth of EV fluids is a huge opportunity, and we aim to be the market leader in this sector,” said Castrol CEO Michelle Jou. “Two thirds of the world’s major car manufacturers use Castrol ON EV fluids as a part of their factory fill, and we also supply Castrol ON EV fluids to the Jaguar TCS Racing Formula E team. This significant new investment will allow us to build additional strategic technologies and capabilities to further advance EV fluids for the future.”

Richard Bartlett, Senior VP, bp pulse, added: “At bp pulse we aim to provide the fastest and most reliable charging experience to our EV customers. This investment will help us co-develop battery and charger technology and digital solutions with our OEM partners.”

Source: bp