Bridgestone to add EV charging points at European retail, service centres

Brussels – Bridgestone Europe has partnered with electric vehicles (EV) charging systems provider EVBox to expand Europe’s charging infrastructure.

Together, the partners aim to install up to 3,500 new charging ports across Bridgestone’s European retail and service network, which includes brands such as Speedy and First Stop. 

The five-year project will begin in France and Italy and expand into the UK, Germany, Poland, Spain and other European countries, Bridgestone announced 9 Sept.

Bridgestone’s new charging network will consist of both normal and fast charging stations installed in “strategic locations”, with fast charging points designated for “high-demand” routes.

The partnership will be facilitated through EVBox’s partner TSG, which offers technical services for mobility solutions.

TSG, said Bridgestone, will “take a leading role” in designing, installing and maintaining the EV charging infrastructure across the tire maker’s European retail and service network.

Through the EVBox partnership, Bridgestone’s retail network will also be offering EV drivers the opportunity to buy and install at-home EV charging stations.

The new partnership is the latest in the tire maker's support for the adoption of EVs as a sustainable mobility solution. 

Bridgestone said it sees EVs as “a huge opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions and make mobility more environmentally sustainable.”

“Through this partnership we will be supporting the much-needed expansion of Europe’s charging infrastructure,” said Christophe de Valroger, Bridgestone EMIA’s VP retail operations.

EVBox, he added, has been leading the creation of the EV charging industry since 2010 and is “definitely the right partner for us.”