What is Aral pulse?
Aral pulse is the EV charging network run by the oil company bp (British Petroleum). In Germany, Aral pulse operates fast chargers at Aral gas stations, highway rest stops, and select retail locations. The network has grown fast since 2022 and is now one of the significant fast-charging players in Germany.
What sets it apart from Ionity or EnBW: Aral pulse is often built directly into gas stations – drivers used to filling up with gasoline now find fast chargers at the same familiar spots. That makes it especially approachable for drivers switching from gas cars.
Every Aral pulse location on the charging map.
Aral pulse pricing 2026: ad-hoc and plans
Aral pulse offers two main models: ad-hoc charging with no contract, and the Aral pulse card:
| Plan | DC price | AC price | Base fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-hoc (no contract) | €0.10/min | €0.06/min | €0 |
| pulse Basic (card) | €0.08/min | €0.05/min | €0 |
| pulse Plus (flat rate) | capped at €12/session | capped at €12/session | €12.99/mo |
Aral pulse bills by time (cents per minute), not by kWh. That means a fast-charging car (250+ kW) effectively pays less per kWh than a slower car taking the same amount of time.
Example: a Tesla Model 3 LR charges 60 kWh in 25 minutes at a 150 kW Aral pulse charger = €2.50 ad-hoc. That works out to 4.2 cents/kWh – very cheap. A 50 kW vehicle takes 72 minutes for the same 60 kWh = €7.20 (12.0 cents/kWh) – noticeably more expensive.
The pulse Plus flat rate: when is it worth it?
The pulse Plus plan costs €12.99/month and caps every session at a maximum of €12. That means long sessions get capped, but short fast-charging sessions still bill by the minute.
- Upside: the cost cap kicks in for long sessions (AC charging, smaller cars)
- Downside: barely any benefit for quick 20-minute stops (150+ kW)
- Break-even: worth it from roughly 2–3 sessions a month that actually hit the €12 cap
For most fast-charging road warriors: Aral pulse Ad-hoc or Basic is enough – the Plus flat rate mainly benefits slow AC sessions. Network comparison: EV charging card comparison 2026.
Aral pulse vs. EnBW vs. Ionity: the comparison
| Network | Billing | Cheapest DC rate | Max power | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aral pulse | Time (€/min) | €0.08/min (Basic) | 300 kW | Gas station locations |
| EnBW mobility+ | kWh | €0.44/kWh (Smart) | 300 kW | Largest German network, 2,500+ sites |
| Ionity | kWh | €0.35/kWh (ADAC) | 350 kW | Highway pioneer, 350 kW |
| Tesla Supercharger | kWh | €0.25/kWh (Membership) | 350 kW (V4) | Reliability, Tesla integration |
Aral pulse is especially attractive for fast-charging vehicles (over 100 kW), since time-based billing works in your favor. For slower chargers, EnBW or the Maingau flat rate is the better fit. Ionity offers the highest peak power at 350 kW. More: Highway EV charging guide – every network.
Aral pulse locations and app
Aral pulse runs its charging points mainly at:
- Aral gas stations: ~700 locations with 50–150 kW CCS
- Highway rest stops: ~100 high-power sites with up to 300 kW
- Retail partnerships: IKEA, Kaufland and more (growing)
The Aral pulse app shows available locations, real-time occupancy, and lets you start a session via app or RFID card. It's also integrated with the bp pulse app (same platform, international operations). Payment: app, RFID card, or credit card directly at the terminal (mandatory across the EU for chargers over 50 kW since 2024).
Every charging station on the interactive charging map. Charging without an app: Ad-hoc charging explained.
Bottom line: who should use Aral pulse?
- Ideal for: fast-charging vehicles (150+ kW) on road trips, drivers used to gas-station stops, newcomers without an existing charging-card setup
- Less ideal for: daily chargers, vehicles with low DC charging power
- Recommended combo: Aral pulse Basic + EnBW for broad coverage + ADAC for Ionity access
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Aral pulse without a card?
Yes – via contactless credit card directly at the terminal, or through the app. The RFID card is optional and saves a little versus ad-hoc pricing. Card payment at fast chargers has been mandatory EU-wide since 2024.
Is Aral pulse's time-based billing fair?
It depends on your vehicle. For fast-charging cars (150+ kW), time-based billing is often cheaper than per-kWh pricing elsewhere. For slower cars (50 kW), it can work out pricier. On average, Aral pulse lands in the middle of the pack.
Does Aral pulse work in other countries?
Yes – bp pulse operates internationally (UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria). The Aral card also works through roaming at many other EU networks.
What's the maximum charging power at Aral pulse?
Up to 300 kW at high-power sites. The typical standard is 150 kW CCS per stall. Not every location has high-power charging – some older Aral gas stations only have 50 kW chargers.
Compare every charging network: EnBW charging station guide · Ionity pricing 2026 · Tesla charging costs · Find every fast charger
