If you searched for “Polar charging points” and landed here wondering why your old Polar card no longer works, you are in the right place. The Polar Network — once the UK’s most widely known destination EV charging network — has been absorbed into BP Pulse and is now being decommissioned. Here is what happened, where things stand in 2026, and what it means for you.
Key Takeaways
- The Polar Network was one of the UK’s largest early EV charging networks, operated by Polar Moment and later by BP Chargemaster.
- BP Pulse rebranded all Polar chargers under the BP Pulse name from 2019 onwards.
- In January 2026, BP Pulse announced it is decommissioning the original Polar destination charging estate on a staggered basis as site contracts expire.
- BP Pulse is refocusing on ultra-rapid on-the-go hubs at BP forecourts and motorway-adjacent locations.
- The current BP Pulse network operates around 5,400 chargers with subscriber rates starting from 52p/kWh.
What Was the Polar Network?
Polar was a public EV charging network that grew from the early 2010s as one of the UK’s first scaled destination charging networks. It specialised in slower AC destination chargers (typically 7kW and 22kW) installed at car parks, hotels, leisure centres and workplaces — locations where drivers would park for several hours and trickle-charge while their car sat still.
At its peak, Polar had a substantial estate of thousands of chargers across the UK, and a dedicated membership card (Polar Plus) that gave drivers access to the network at discounted rates.
The BP Chargemaster and BP Pulse Transition
In 2018, BP acquired Chargemaster, one of the UK’s leading charge point operators, which had by that time absorbed Polar into its network. In 2019, BP brought Chargemaster and the Polar network together under a single brand: BP Pulse.
From that point on, new Polar-branded cards and apps stopped being issued. Drivers were encouraged to migrate to the BP Pulse app and membership card.
What Has Happened to the Polar Network in 2026?
In January 2026, BP Pulse announced that it is retiring the original Polar destination charging estate. The company is contacting host partners — car parks, hotels, leisure centres and other sites that hosted Polar chargers — as contracts approach renewal, to arrange safe decommissioning of BP Pulse assets at those sites.
BP Pulse is not replacing like for like at these locations. Instead, the company is refocusing its investment on:
- Ultra-fast charging hubs at BP petrol forecourts.
- On-the-go rapid charging along major routes.
- Partnerships with motorway service operators.
For site hosts losing their Polar/BP Pulse chargers, BP Pulse has established a referral partnership with Roam EV — a UK destination charging specialist — to offer continuity of service where possible.
What This Means for Drivers
If you relied on a specific Polar/BP Pulse charger at a regular destination, check:
- Whether that unit is still listed as active on the BP Pulse app or Zapmap.
- Whether the site has migrated to Roam EV or another operator.
- Whether a newer rapid or ultra-rapid alternative exists nearby.
Zapmap shows live charger status and operator information for all public UK charge points, making it the most reliable way to track which units remain in service.
The Current BP Pulse Network
While the Polar destination estate is being wound down, BP Pulse itself continues to operate as one of the UK’s larger charging networks, with around 5,398 chargers as of March 2026.
Current BP Pulse pricing:
| Payment method | Rate |
|---|---|
| Contactless (no subscription) | from 69p/kWh |
| BP Pulse subscriber | from 52p/kWh |
| Subscription cost | £7.85/month |
A BP Pulse membership card (RFID) is included with subscription and allows quick tap-to-charge access at compatible charge points. For a detailed breakdown of what public charging costs across the main UK networks, visit our EV charging costs guide.
Alternatives to Polar / BP Pulse for Destination Charging
The closure of Polar’s destination estate creates a gap for drivers who relied on slow chargers at car parks and hotels. The main alternatives for destination AC charging are:
- Pod Point — operates a large estate of 7kW destination chargers at Tesco, IKEA and other retail locations. Many are free to use.
- Osprey — focuses on rapid and ultra-rapid charging, providing faster top-ups at retail parks.
- Evolt (formerly Swarco E.Connect) — includes some destination and car park sites in its 2,916-charger estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has my Polar charging card stopped working? If your card was issued as a Polar or Polar Plus card, it was likely migrated to the BP Pulse system when BP acquired Chargemaster in 2018 and merged the brands in 2019. Legacy Polar cards may no longer function at charge points that have been decommissioned or transferred to new operators. Contact BP Pulse customer support to check whether your account can be carried forward, or download the BP Pulse app to manage charging digitally.
Is the Polar Network the same as BP Pulse? Operationally, yes. BP Pulse absorbed the Polar Network following BP’s acquisition of Chargemaster in 2018. All Polar-branded chargers were progressively rebranded as BP Pulse from 2019. The Polar destination estate is now being retired, but BP Pulse itself continues operating with a focus on rapid charging hubs.
What is replacing Polar chargers at car parks and hotels? BP Pulse is working with Roam EV to offer displaced host sites a continuation of service under a different operator. Some sites will find alternative charge point operators independently. You can check the current status of any charge point via Zapmap, which shows live operator and availability data.
What are current BP Pulse rates? BP Pulse charges from 69p/kWh on contactless and from 52p/kWh for subscribers. The subscription costs £7.85/month and includes a BP Pulse RFID membership card. Rates vary by site — check the BP Pulse app for current pricing at specific locations.