Shell has announced an agreement to acquire evpass, the largest network of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) in Switzerland. Founded in 2016 by Green Motion, the company was previously owned by Eaton, FMV (Forces Motrices Valaisannes) and the energy supplier AEW.
This acquisition allows Shell to further expand its position for charging solutions for electric vehicles and offer customers access to the largest network of public charging stations in Switzerland.
Shell is continuing to grow its networks of electric vehicle charge points and has a target to operate over 500,000 charging points worldwide by 2025 and 2.5 million by 2030. In Switzerland, the first two Shell Recharge fast charging stations were put into operation at the Oftringen station in December 2022.
As the largest network of public EV charging stations in Switzerland, providing access to 3,000 charge points through its own network and roaming agreements, evpass complements the Shell emobility offering. This also includes a pilot of ubitricity’s lamp post charging solution in Bern. Approximately one-third of the network is owned by evpass.
István Kapitány, Shell Mobility global executive vice president, said: “Switzerland is an important market for our mobility business where we plan to rapidly expand the number of EV charge points offered at our stations and destinations like supermarkets, hotels and car parks.
“For our customers, we aim to make the EV driving experience even more comfortable and convenient by offering drivers more charging infrastructure at more locations.
“The acquisition of evpass, with coverage in a third of Swiss municipalities, puts Shell in a leading position in the local EV charging market that we plan to extend even further.”
Shell in Switzerland benefits from the popularity of evpass and its 50,000 subscribers. evpass is accessible throughout Switzerland in all cantons and 33 per cent of the municipalities.
François Randin, evpass founder and CEO, said: “As the founder of evpass, I am sure that Shell, as a major global energy player, is the best investor to secure the growth of Switzerland’s largest charging network and continue my original vision of responsible and environmentally friendly individual mobility.”
Back in January, Shell Recharge Solutions and Motor Fuel Group (MFG) signed a new emobility roaming agreement giving drivers access to more than 240 additional rapid electric vehicle charge points across the UK.
Shell Recharge Solutions, a leading provider of charging solutions at home, work, at depots and on the go, is providing its customers with access to over 14,000 charge points via 25 roaming partners throughout the UK. This latest roaming agreement will be particularly valuable for customers charging on the go, such as fleet drivers, who now have access to ultra-rapid chargers found on motorways, A-roads and at dedicated EV hubs.
