BP's fast-charging networks in two continental European markets are changing hands. On Oct. 8, 2026, the Dutch energy supplier Essent announced that E.ON Drive Infrastructure is taking over the former BP fast-charging network in the Netherlands: 79 locations with 370 charge points, plus 45 secured development sites for new hubs. Thirteen days earlier, on Sept. 25, electrive reported that Sorégies, an energy supplier based in Poitiers, is acquiring BP Pulse's network in France. Financial terms were not disclosed for either deal.
The two deals are at different stages. The Dutch takeover was announced with the operating roles and branding already set out. The French sale is pending, with closing expected by the end of 2026.
The Dutch deal: E.ON owns, Essent sells
The Netherlands network will run under a split arrangement. E.ON Drive Infrastructure remains the owner of the charging infrastructure and handles investment, installation, operation and maintenance, while Essent, as the customer-facing brand, handles marketing and communications, electrive reported on Oct. 9. Each charger will carry the Essent brand with the line "Operated by E.ON Drive." The 46 fast-charging points that E.ON Drive Infrastructure already operated in the Netherlands also move under the Essent name. Essent says the deal makes it one of the largest public fast-charging providers in the country.
Most of the 79 locations sit at OK fuel stations on busy routes. BP is leaving both the Dutch fuel station and charging businesses: Catom took over the former BP stations and runs them under the OK brand, while the charging infrastructure at those stations moves to E.ON Drive Infrastructure.
The hardware is from Alpitronic, with chargers rated up to 300 kW. Essent says that lets most modern EVs reach about 80% in roughly 20 minutes, depending on the model. Electrive counts 17 of the sites as Mega Charging Hubs and 51 as sites with battery-buffered fast chargers.
The battery buffers are aimed at limited grid capacity. According to Mobility Energy, those units charge during the day from a low-voltage domestic connection, so fast charging remains possible at locations where grid capacity is limited. The 45 development sites are to be built out in stages over the coming years.
The French deal: Sorégies and the Alterna brand
In France, Sorégies is taking over 32 operational BP Pulse sites with more than 600 charge points, plus 14 sites under development that would add nearly 200 charge points. The package also includes a stock of charging hardware and transformer stations, and staff involved in development, construction and operations will move to the subsidiary Sorégies Mobilités.
The network extends beyond BP fuel stations. It includes motorway service areas on the A10, A11 and A71, larger retail and commercial sites, and charging parks at shopping centres. After the transfer the parks are to operate under the Alterna énergie brand. Sorégies already runs more than 1,000 charge points in the Vienne and Indre departments, plans to invest more than €100 million in electromobility by 2030 and aims to become one of France's ten largest fast-charging operators, according to electrive.
| Market | Buyer | Network transferred | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | E.ON Drive Infrastructure (owner/operator), Essent (brand) | 79 locations, 370 charge points; 45 development sites | Announced Oct. 8, 2026 |
| France | Sorégies (Alterna énergie brand) | 32 operating sites, 600+ charge points; 14 sites in development (nearly 200 charge points) | Closing expected by end of 2026 |
| Austria | Volenergy | 250 fuel stations, plus charging infrastructure and fleet business | Being sold |
| Germany | Retained as Aral Pulse | 4,000+ charge points at nearly 600 locations | BP stays |
Where BP is staying
The sales are part of what electrive describes as a BP divestment programme worth $20 billion. Austria, where BP is selling 250 fuel stations along with its charging infrastructure and fleet business to Volenergy, is another piece of it. Germany is the exception: BP keeps its charging business there through Aral Pulse, which electrive puts at more than 4,000 charge points at nearly 600 locations. Aral Pulse began building MCS charging parks for heavy-duty electric trucks in 2026.
What It Means for Drivers
In the Netherlands: Former BP Pulse customers can keep using their existing charge cards and apps, according to electrive, and the chargers also accept standard charge cards and contactless credit or debit cards. Look for Essent branding with "Operated by E.ON Drive" on the charger rather than BP Pulse signage; drivers who already used E.ON Drive's fast chargers will see those switch to the Essent name too. Station restrooms and shops at the OK sites are available while charging. In its Oct. 8, 2026 announcement, Essent said holders of its own charge card get €0.10/kWh off for a limited period at Essent fast chargers and at all European E.ON Drive Infrastructure charge points. The discount applies only to that card, so check the current terms in the Essent account before relying on it.
At battery-buffered sites: Charging speed is quoted as "up to" 300 kW, and the 20-minute figure depends on the vehicle, so session times will vary from car to car.
In France: The sale is expected to close by the end of 2026, after which the A10, A11 and A71 motorway sites and retail locations are to carry Alterna énergie branding. Drivers who use BP Pulse cards in France should watch for account notices from either company around the handover.
In Germany: BP keeps the Aral Pulse network.
Sources
- Essent: Essent stapt in openbare snellaad-infra (Oct. 8, 2026, Dutch)
- electrive: E.ON Drive takes over BP Pulse fast-charging network in the Netherlands (Oct. 9, 2026)
- electrive: Sorégies acquires BP Pulse fast-charging network in France (Sept. 25, 2026)
- Mobility Energy: Essent acquires the former BP Pulse fast-charging network in the Netherlands (Oct. 8, 2026)
