The BP Pulse withdrawal from the workplace charging market serves as a cautionary tale for fleets about the long-term viability and resilience of their charging infrastructure, particularly regarding legacy systems.
While BP Pulse has pledged to maintain service and warranties for existing workplace chargers, the move has triggered concerns about business continuity and the limitations of older, proprietary systems. Many of BP Pulse’s assets reportedly lack compatibility with open standards like OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), which can make it costly and difficult to integrate, upgrade, or switch service providers without major disruption.
As more providers exit or consolidate as the workplace charging market matures, fleet operators are being urged to future-proof their infrastructure by prioritising open, interoperable systems. Open protocols like OCPP allow for remote monitoring, third-party support, and flexible upgrades—critical for avoiding vendor lock-in and ensuring long-term reliability.
Industry experts recommend fleets mitigate risk by appointing at least two suppliers: a primary contractor and a ready-to-step-in backup. They also stress the need for contingency planning to manage evolving tech standards and avoid reliance on any one supplier’s business direction.
Ultimately, BP Pulse’s exit underscores the need for fleets to treat charging infrastructure as a strategic, long-term investment—not just a transactional installation—built on flexible, future-ready technology.