KPI shifts focus to global fuel stations, EV expansion

KUWAIT CITY, May 26: Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) is now focusing on its international fuel stations, while continuing the implementation of fuel station projects in Kuwait, including eight stations in the first phase, pending the transfer of the local fuel station portfolio from Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) to KPI. Sources told the newspaper that this move is based on the leadership and excellence of KPI in managing and partnering with more than 5,000 international fuel stations, mostly in Italy.

Sources said the strategy includes the opening of more than 500 fast-charging stations for electric vehicles in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) in the next five years, through the KPI subsidiary, Q8 Electric, which is striving to become a major player in the field of sustainable mobility in Europe. Sources pointed out that Q8 stations operating in various countries continue to innovate and find the best way to attract customers, particularly since the current goal is to provide 200 Bbox units (post office box services) at Q8 service stations in Belgium by the end of this year, adding that Bpost opened its 100th post office box at a Q8 station this week. As part of its innovative approach in Belgium, Q8 opened its first digital restaurant on May 7 at the Liège-Grétry service station, where customers can order a wide variety of fresh meals, in line with the objective of the company to expand its food offerings in its stations.

The digital restaurant supports the transformation of Q8 into a leader in sustainable transportation, offering a broad range of shops and restaurants, sources added. Sources confirmed that Q8 Electric has undertaken massive expansion in the fast charging network, indicating that its existing network offers charging cards and the Q8 app at more than 900,000 charging points throughout Europe and almost all charging stations in the Benelux region. Sources revealed that starting this summer, the existing electric vehicle charging stations will be gradually rebranded from Tango to Q8 Electric. Sources explained this transformation is not just changing the name and visual identity, as it includes the integration of digital systems into the Q8 Electric network.

Q8 has become a leading fuel and energy company in the Benelux region, focusing on sustainable transportation in the Netherlands, where it operates 198 Tango service and charging stations. It recently opened its first transportation hub in partnership with Bakker Bart, offering charging infrastructure, food services and co-working spaces. It is also committed to developing more sustainable transportation options. In addition to its partnerships and ownership of service stations in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the company is currently developing a network of service stations for passenger vehicles in Spain. This network will consist of stations under the Q8 and Q8 easy brands in Spain and Portugal. In Sweden, the company owns OKQ8 in partnership with the Swedish OK Economic Association. The vision of OKQ8 is to be the ideal choice for drivers and energy consumers by getting closer to the mindset of consumers in order to provide the best benefits to its customers.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff