Low-Carbon Unit Shut Down
In a notable shift away from its recent green ambitions, British Petroleum (BP) has officially disbanded its low-carbon mobility team, signaling a deeper pivot back to its core oil and gas operations. The move, disclosed to staff on Wednesday, comes as the energy giant re-evaluates its approach to the energy transition under the leadership of CEO Murray Auchincloss. The now-defunct unit had been focused on developing alternative fuel solutions for transportation, including electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles—particularly trucks.
Martin Thomsen, a senior BP executive, told employees the initiative was no longer “commercially viable.” He added that any remaining low-emission mobility activities would be redistributed across other departments. The decision underscores BP’s broader strategic redirection, following Auchincloss’s February announcement that the company would cut green energy investment by 70% and move away from a five-year plan to become a major player in renewables. This shift followed mounting pressure from activist investor Elliott Management, which recently acquired a near-5% stake in BP and has been pushing for operational and financial changes.
Energy Transition ‘Slower Than Expected’
Thomsen noted in an internal email that the energy transition was “moving at a slower pace than we had anticipated.” He explained that the low-carbon mobility projects were progressing slowly and required substantial investment—resources that BP could no longer justify given tighter capital constraints. Speaking more bluntly during a staff call, Thomsen reportedly said, “We had a view of low carbon that didn’t happen. We need to revert to the old BP — more oil and gas — and old-fashioned retail — petrol, diesel.”
This retreat from low-carbon ventures aligns with recent internal reshuffling at British petroleum (BP). Thomsen, currently senior vice-president for emerging markets within BP’s customer and products division, was recently promoted to oversee both BP Pulse—the company’s electric vehicle charging arm—and its European retail operations. This followed a leadership shakeup, including the resignation of former BP Pulse chief executive Richard Bartlett and the earlier departure of Tracey Clements, who had overseen the company’s European retail network.
EV Business Continues Amid Downsizing
Despite the dissolution of the low-carbon mobility team, BP insists that it remains committed to expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. A spokesperson confirmed that the company is continuing to grow BP Pulse in its four primary markets—the UK, Germany, the US, and China—alongside partnerships in India, Spain, and Portugal. The company emphasized that while the separate mobility unit will be closed, its key activities would be absorbed into broader business operations.
The low-carbon mobility team had already seen a dramatic downsizing over the past nine months, shrinking from 30 members to just nine, according to individuals familiar with the changes. BP acknowledged the changes publicly, stating, “As we focus our downstream businesses and activity, we don’t believe we need to maintain a separate dedicated team to consider such future options.”
The dismantling of the unit marks another significant rollback of British petroleum (BP’s) earlier pledge to lead in the energy transition—a promise now giving way to traditional energy priorities.
