05 November 2024

The Power of Strategic Partnerships: Driving EV Charging Forward

You plug in, head for your coffee, pick up the messages and a quick scroll through social media later, your EV’s 80% charged. A bite to eat, stop the charge, and you’re back on the road.

Sound familiar? It should, because it’s the kind of 'forgettable' experience we’re committed to providing with every charge. 

But building a network that consistently delivers this level of convenience doesn’t happen overnight – and certainly not at scale – without the right partners.

Plugging into Partnerships: The Secret to EV Charging Success

From the moment a potential site arrives in our inbox to the first driver to plug-in, partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. 

Now, it’s no secret we are strategic about choosing locations, guided by our mantra: ‘right chargers, right places’ - but truthfully, it’s not always easy without the right partners by our side. 

Sure, we could have taken shortcuts – we could’ve planted chargers anywhere, without a second thought and working with any partner. But we’re not here to be ‘just another’ charging network. We’re here to turn good charging experiences into great ones. 

And that transformation only happens when we collaborate with the best. Great brands. Great technology. Great experiences. These are the building blocks of a network that truly works.

300kW and Counting… Tech That Delivers

It all starts with technology, we know our chargers must be reliable, easy to use, and efficient. 

Enter Kempower, a leader in EV charging innovation. When we speak about a customer first approach, we mean delivering an experience that’s as easy as it is powerful – flexible payment options, charging speeds of up to 300kW and a simple charging process. 

These chargers form the backbone of our ultra-rapid Charging Hubs. With their dynamic load balancing capabilities, we can ensure that every electric vehicle charges as quickly as possible, even when power availability is limited. 

Partnering with Vital EV to deploy Kempower's cutting-edge technology has allowed us to provide a premium EV charging experience across the UK that drivers can trust – time and time again. 

And on top of this, earlier this year, we took a big step forward by transitioning to Fuuse, modernising our network with a more flexible and scalable back-office software solution. This has transformed how we can interface with our hardware, charging intel and most importantly driver experience. 

Right Chargers, Right Places (with a little help from our friends)

78% of drivers say a charge point in a convenient location is an ‘essential’. 

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: putting the right chargers in the right places is key to easing range anxiety and converting hesitant drivers into EV enthusiasts. 

As our national network expands, we’re not just thinking about city centres or affluent areas – we’re ensuring that EV infrastructure is accessible to all communities – from retail parks to drive-thrus, stand alone car parks to brownfield land and everything in between. 

Each site is carefully scored to ensure it meets the needs of both drivers and landowners now, and in the future. We avoid the pitfalls of “bay rent inflation” or installing a large number of chargers just for show – we believe less is more, initially, but we always ensure we have the space to scale-up our number of bays as the demand grows. Our goal is to create sustainable charging hubs that serve drivers for the long haul, not just a quick fix. 

We’re expanding nationally through new and existing partnerships with a growing network of over 750 live charge points with an additional 300+ charge points being built for go-live across the UK by the end of this year.

Regional Roots, National Reach: Collaborations That Charge Forward 

Our collaborations go beyond just tech and locations – it’s not by accident that we have partnered with major brands who share our vision for a greener future. 

From private landowners to retail giants like Decathlon and Dobbies – these partnerships, whether national or regional, are a cornerstone to the adoption of EV charging. 

Take our three latest sites for example – Decathlon in Stockport, Parkway Central Retail Park in Sheffield, and North Manchester General Hospital. While each location and charging solution is unique, they all share a common goal – fantastic partnerships tailored to meet the needs of the EV community, customers, and driver behaviour in their regions.

And these aren’t just business transactions – they’re partnerships with a purpose...

  • Decathlon, Stockport (SK4 1DN)

Located just minutes from the M60, our 15-bay, 150kW ultra-rapid Charging Hub is just one example of how we’re strategically placing chargers in high-footfall retail locations benefiting local residents, Decathlon shoppers and commuters passing through. It’s all about convenience, and it’s all about location, location, location. 

Part of a broader initiative in line with Decathlon’s Transition 2026 plan, this location is setting the stage for ultra-rapid charging at select stores nationwide. 

  • Parkway Central Retail Park, Sheffield (S2 5AU) 

This brand new ultra-rapid hub, located in the heart of Sheffield, features 9 charging bays (two of which are designed with enhanced accessibility) and 3 waiting bays, with up to 150kW CCS (and a CHAdeMO connector).

Part of a wider vision for the city – this new Charging Hub will not only deliver much-needed ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure for nearby communities (where there's some of the lowest levels in the UK), but it will also enhance existing clean air zone initiatives.

  • NHS North General Hospital, Manchester (M8 5RB)

While it may not be our most powerful location or match the profile of our usual ultra-rapid Charging Hubs, it's exactly what’s needed here. This 36 bay fast Charging Hub is a perfect example of working with the right partners to put chargers where they count the most giving NHS workers a convenient way to charge while they care for others. 

By working closely with site owners, local authorities, we’re ensuring that EV charging fits into the broader community, helping both drivers and businesses thrive.

Funding the Future: Octopus Energy Generation, NatWest & KfW

No successful network expansion happens without solid financial backing. 

In 2022, our partnership with Octopus Energy Generation (OEG) brought in up to £110 million through their Sky Fund, marking a major milestone in our journey. This investment didn’t just boost our network; it also solidified our relationship with OEG, opening doors to invaluable expertise, resources, and a shared vision for the future. 

More recently, you will likely have seen we also successfully raised £50 million from major financial institutions NatWest and KfW to continue our rollout of EV charging across the nation. A landmark moment for our network and our partners – collectively, we’re paving the way for new investment, both domestically and internationally, into the world of EV.

What’s next: The Pipeline of Opportunity 

And the partnerships don’t stop there. In the last month alone, we’ve announced two new multi-million-pound deals that will bring EV charging to even more retail destinations across the UK.

We’ve teamed up with Magnetar Capital and Northdale Advisors to install 36 ultra-rapid charging bays at four premier retail locations, including Corby Town Centre and One Stop Shopping in Birmingham. And with Wesleyan, we’re rolling out a 16-bay charging hub at Gallagher Retail Park, just off the M6.

And, we’ve announced another deal with Wesleyan Assurance to deliver the first EV charging hub on their real estate portfolio. Together, we’ll be rolling out 16 ultra-rapid charging bays at Gallagher Retail Park in Wednesbury – soon to be the largest charging facility on any retail park in this part of the West Midlands conurbation.

These partnerships are just a few examples from a much larger portfolio of opportunities that are set to go live in the near future. 

Shaping the Future of EV Charging

At Be.EV, we believe in the power of partnerships. 

By partnering with the best in the industry, we’re building more than just a charging network – we’re creating a future where EV charging is effortless, available to all, and part of everyday life. 

Stay tuned, because we’re just getting started.