17 June 2019 | Bradford Keen
Energy and services group Engie has acquired ChargePoint Services (CPS), which provides integrated EV charging solutions and owns and operates GeniePoint, the nationwide pay-as-you-go EV charging network.
CPS works with 30 local authorities on charging point infrastructure and has also supplied workplace-charging solutions for blue-chip organisations such as Microsoft and Siemens.
Complementing Engie's existing EV capabilities, the CPS acquisition brings 20,000 GeniePoint network customers and a cloud-based data and control platform. This will create a combined public rapid charging network of at least 400 stations (typically capable of charging cars in less than an hour), and a further fast network in excess of 500 stations by the end of 2019.
Nicola Lovett, CEO of Engie UK & Ireland, said: "The provision of green mobility solutions is a key part of Engie's wider strategy to help to tackle air quality in cities and be a leader in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Acquiring CPS is an important step in scaling up our ambitions in the EV market, complementing our existing energy supply activities and our partnerships with local authorities and businesses.
"The acquisition strengthens our combined capabilities to assist local authorities and other public sector customers with placemaking - working alongside them to shape the future use of their estates and public spaces to enhance the lives of those who use them. It also enables us to work closely with our many business customers to support their ambitions to decarbonise their own fleets and support their employees' adoption of low and zero-carbon vehicles."
Alex Bamberg, managing director of ChargePoint Services, said: "Becoming part of Engie is an exciting move for CPS. The combination of Engie's renewable energy, hardware technology and installation capability, together with our own significant experience in EV charging network management, infrastructure rollout, and 24/7 customer service provision, will create a major player in electric vehicle fuelling in the UK.
"With the demand for EV charging across the UK increasing rapidly as vehicles with longer range and reduced charging times are launched by the motor industry, we will together be well placed to support the transition to EV in the UK and the drive for cleaner air quality."