Extending its charging capabilities and network, full-service fleet electrification solution provider B–ON has signed a partnership with one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle (EV) charger manufacturers, EO Charging (EO). This will allow B–ON customers to access EO’s commercial charging infrastructure and services in Europe.
Available through B–ON’s comprehensive Electrification-as-a-Service offering, the partnership will enhance the EV charging capabilities for B–ON’s clients running its proven, all-electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs).
As part of the agreement, EO’s charging hardware, installation and support services will be available alongside electric vans directly through B–ON. In turn, this will allow EO to integrate with B–ON’s existing EV fleet, energy and charge management software, providing real-time data to customers on both their vehicles and their energy access through a single system.
EO’s clients will also have preferred access to B–ON’s eLCVs and accompanying data suite, formed from over eight years of real-world experience on the road.
Striving to maximise uptime for its fleet clients, this partnership now allows B–ON to provide European customers with EO’s bespoke, certified fleet charging solutions based on their unique needs. Managed by B–ON as part of a holistic ecosystem package, it provides customers with everything necessary to electrify their fleets, further maximising the potential of their B–ON eLCVs.
Starting with an initial consultation to analyse each customer’s operations (fleet size, number of available depots, route profile, energy consumed, and more), B–ON will then design, deploy, operate and maintain a custom charging solution to sustain customers’ fleets at maximum uptime and profitability. The all-inclusive system delivers construction, power grid access, charger installation and maintenance, and connected software through one integrated point of contact.
B–ON, a global organisation with headquarters in Luxembourg, was launched in January 2022 with the acquisition of eLCV-maker StreetScooter from Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL). Since 2014, DPDHL manufactured and deployed over 22,500 vehicles to deliver the German post, making it one of the world’s longest-running and largest fully electric commercial fleets.
In May 2022, in addition to its proven vehicle offering, B–ON announced a complementary suite of services. These included charging, telematics, maintenance and repair, and financing, all designed to make electrification as simple and economical as possible for fleet owners.
Instead of wasting precious time and resources to vertically integrate owned services for this offering, B–ON is focused on partnering with existing leaders and innovators like EO to power individual parts of the wider ecosystem. These collaborations make complete sense enabling B-ON to move faster, and hopefully, help speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Founded in 2014, EO is a UK-based technology company that designs and manufactures smart charging solutions for EV fleets. Its end-to-end solutions offer customers everything they need to transition to electric at scale and pace, from AC and DC hardware and cloud-based management software to depot installations, grid connections, 24/7/365 operations and maintenance, and a new multi-source financing platform.
Most recently, EO announced it had secured approximately $ 80 million in equity investment to accelerate its growth plans and global expansion strategy in Europe and North America.
Stefan Krause, B–ON CEO, said: “Empowering business owners and fleet operators to meaningfully go electric is a core part of our purpose at B–ON.
“EO Charging’s vision of creating a simplified, one-stop fleet solution for charging, energy management, and even financing made them a natural partner for us to overcome customer barriers and accelerate the shift to electric fleets all over Europe.”
The partnership will officially be available as a shared service to customers starting mid-April, with a launch event to take place at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, UK, from April 18-20 2023.
Charlie Jardine, EO CEO, said: “We’re constantly looking for ways to simplify the electrification process for our customers, so it only made sense to partner with a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles.
“Working with B–ON, we’re able to give our fleet customers access to a proven, purpose-built vehicle alongside our turnkey services, making it easier than ever for businesses to drive forward their electrification plans across Europe.”
