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Be.EV has acquired Mer's UK public electric vehicle charging business, adding more than 1,600 charging bays and extending its network across the country.
The deal covers Mer's entire UK public charging network. Mer will retain its UK fleet charging operation.
The acquisition adds more than 450 sites, taking Be.EV's estate to more than 2,500 bays across more than 680 locations. The enlarged network puts Be.EV in the UK's top 10 charging operators by the number of rapid and ultra-rapid bays.
Public charging has become a focal point for the UK's EV transition as drivers seek dependable access away from home. Network scale, site reliability and pricing are increasingly important as more motorists switch to battery-powered vehicles and rely on public infrastructure for longer journeys.
Be.EV is majority owned by Octopus Energy Generation's Sky Fund, which includes an employee ownership stake. The fund has raised more than GBP £2.5 billion from institutional investors and invests in renewable and energy infrastructure assets, according to the companies.
Integration plans
Mer's public charging assets will be integrated into Be.EV's existing network. Mer's public charging customers will be able to keep using their usual charge points during the transition.
The transaction excludes Mer's UK fleet charging business, which will continue operating a network of around 500 workplace chargers available to employees and site visitors.
Mer will refocus its public EV charging strategy on its core European markets. It operates in Norway, Sweden, Germany and Austria, as well as the UK, and is owned by Statkraft, a large European renewable power producer.
The additional locations strengthen Be.EV's coverage in the South of England, complementing its existing presence in the North and Midlands. The company's network focuses on rapid and ultra-rapid sites, typically serving drivers who need shorter stops and higher-power charging on busy routes.
Pricing and supply
Over time, the larger network is expected to provide broader access to Be.EV's subscription pricing and off-peak rates. The company lists a 39p per kWh subscription tariff and an off-peak charging window from 7pm to 7am.
Octopus Energy will supply electricity to most of the expanded charging network "in time". Octopus Energy Generation and Octopus Energy are separate entities: Octopus Energy Generation is Be.EV's majority owner, while Octopus Energy's role relates to energy supply.
Scale and operations
As charging operators expand, expectations around maintenance and site availability rise. Operators also have to manage equipment upgrades, payment systems and customer service across wider estates.
Be.EV expects efficiencies of scale from the acquisition, including improved buying power, more efficient network operations and lower overheads per site. The company said these changes should accelerate its path to profitability as it continues to develop new sites.
Be.EV does not expect to close sites as part of the acquisition and plans targeted upgrades and selective equipment replacement over time. It will apply its operational and marketing approach across the expanded network, focusing on discoverability, reliability and customer experience.
After completion, the combined organisation will be supported by a streamlined team. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Be.EV was founded in Greater Manchester in 2019 and has more than 80,000 members. It has received GBP £110 million from Octopus Energy Generation and a further GBP £55 million from lenders NatWest and KfW IPEX-Bank.
"We're delighted to bring Mer's network into Be.EV and even more excited about what it means for drivers," said Asif Ghafoor, Be.EV's CEO.
"People don't want to think about charging, they just want it to work, whenever and wherever they are. This acquisition brings the reliable Be.EV experience to more places, and the scale we gain helps us keep public charging affordable - including our market-leading off-peak and subscription pricing from 39p/kWh.
"It's a natural fit with our existing network and will sit alongside our continued investment in new sites and service improvements," Ghafoor said.
Kristoffer Thoner, Mer's CEO, said: "We are pleased to see Mer's UK public charging network join Be.EV, a company with a strong customer-centric approach and clear ambitions in public charging. This transaction supports Be.EV's growth while allowing Mer to sharpen our strategic focus on our core European markets. Ultimately, both companies share the same goal - making EV charging simple and accessible for everyone."