EV charging arm bp pulse has cut the ribbon on a long-promised new hub near LAX Airport. This is the first of many “Gigahubs” in the works and has opened as bp pulse’s largest EV charging station in the US.

bp pulse has risen as one of the world’s more prominent EV charging networks while simultaneously operating under the umbrella of one of the most notorious oil companies. To date, bp pulse has implemented over 40,000 EV charge points worldwide, including over 8,000 locations across 46 states in the US.

Part of that strategy includes a sub-network of bp pulse Gigahubs—large EV fast-charging hubs designed to serve ride-hail and taxi fleets near US airports and other high-demand regions. In October 2022, BP Pulse announced plans to bring its first Gigahub and implement EV charging near LAX Airport through a collaboration with Hertz, partially funded by a $2 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC).

Two and a half years later, bp pulse has officially cut the ribbon on its new LAX charging hub, which will soon formally open to the public.

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bp pulse offers EV charging, lounge, and WiFi near LAX

According to a release from bp pulse today, the new EV charging Gigahub is located two miles from LAX Airport and features 48 DC charging piles. The chargers offer a mix of 150kW and 400kW options as well as CCS and NACS plugs.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by bp pulse executives and key stakeholders, the EV charging business said the LAX Gigahub is its largest charging station in the US to date, and is the first of several more hubs in its pipeline that will be erected in collaboration with Hertz. Sujay Sharma, CEO of bp pulse Americas, spoke:

Our new hub near LAX is another example of how we’re bringing fast, reliable charging to our customers when and where they need it, alongside convenient amenities. We’re committed to expanding our charging network to more metro and  airport locations like this one to support EV drivers and ride-hailing fleets in a simple, reliable, and  cost-effective way.

In addition to an array of EV fast charging options, bp’s new LAX hub features a lounge, vending machines, restrooms, and complimentary WiFi. Per bp, the new Gigahub will be open to the public very soon.

Kia plans to introduce a series of new models based on the PV5. During its PV5 Tech Day event on Tuesday, Kia revealed plans for seven new body types, including a camper (for the van lifers out there), a “Premium” luxury model, and a pickup truck.

Kia converts the PV5 EV van into much more

During the event on Tuesday, Kia gave us a closer look at what it’s calling “the world’s most useful electric mobility vehicle.”

The PV5 is Kia’s first electric van from its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business. According to Kia, the PBVs, or electric vans, are “total mobility solutions,” combining its most advanced software with fit-for-purpose EVs.

“The PV5, which marked the beginning of future mobility, implemented innovations encompassing space maximization, expandability, and connectivity through active communication with customers from the early stage of development,” Joo Su-ha, a managing director at Kia’s R&D headquarters, explained at the event.

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Kia claims to be the first to use a unique new development process, enabling a wide range of uses. In fact, Kia found over 1,000 user scenarios through a 3D verification process with local government and institutions.

To unlock its full potential, Kia plans to introduce seven new body types based on the PV5 EV van. These include Passenger and Cargo models, a Cargo Compact (available in 3- and 4-door configurations), and a Cargo High Roof, which was launched in Europe and South Korea last month.

New variations will include an open bed, Light Camper, Prime luxury passenger, built-in truck, and a refrigerated truck.

Kia plans to begin delivering PV5 Passenger and Cargo Long models in its home market next month, followed by Europe and other global markets, starting in the fourth quarter.

With new variants on the way, we’ve already caught a glimpse of a few out in public testing. Last month, we got our first look at the PV5 with an open bed. In May, the Conversion model, which will host new top hats including the Light Camper, was spotted on a car carrier in Korea.

Kia opened pre-orders for the PV5 Passenger and Cargo models in the UK on May 1, starting at £32,995 ($44,000) and £27,645 ($37,000), respectively.

It’s available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh or 71.2 kWh. The PV5 Passenger has a WLTP range of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo model has the same battery pack options but is rated for a range of either 181 miles or 247 miles.

Kia aims to sell around 3,000 to 4,000 PV5 electric vans in its first full year of sales. But by the end of the decade, the Korean automaker expects to sell around 17,000 PBVs annually.

Following the PV5, Kia will introduce the larger PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029. Kia builds all PBV models at its Hwaseong EVO plant in South Korea, which has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 units per year.

Enbridge is going big on solar again in Texas, and Meta is snapping up all the solar power it can get.

Last month, Electrek reported that the Canadian oil and gas pipeline giant just launched its first solar farm in Texas. Now it’s given the green light to Clear Fork, a 600 megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar farm already under construction near San Antonio. The project is expected to come online in summer 2027.

Once it’s up and running, every bit of Clear Fork’s electricity will go to Meta Platforms under a long-term contract. Meta will use the solar power to help run its energy-hungry data centers entirely on clean energy.

The solar farm project’s cost is around $900 million. Enbridge says it expects Clear Fork to boost the company’s cash flow and earnings starting in 2027.

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Enbridge EVP Matthew Akman said the project reflects “growing demand for renewable power across North America from blue-chip companies involved in technology and data center operations.”

Meta’s head of global energy, Urvi Parekh, added that the company is “thrilled to partner with Enbridge to bring new renewable energy to Texas and help support our operations with 100% clean energy.”

Meta’s first multi-gigawatt data center, Prometheus, is expected to come online in 2026.

Clear Fork is part of a growing trend: tech giants like Meta, Amazon, and Google are racing to lock down renewable energy contracts as they expand their fleets of AI-ready data centers, which use massive amounts of electricity.

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