Vattenfall currently operates an electric vehicle charging network in the UK and this has been acquired by Statkraft, who intend to continue powering the charging points with 100% renewable energy from its own portfolio. Statkraft, via its wholly owned subsidiary Gronn Kontakt UK Ltd, will take on the current electric vehicle charging network staff in the UK and will manage, operate and maintain the charging stations. Statkraft has recently strengthened its position in the European charging market, having acquired Norwegian EV charging company Gronn Kontakt in December last year and German EV charging companies E-Wald and eeMobility before that.
Anthony Hinde, Head of e-Mobility at Statkraft UK Ltd said: “Statkraft’s experience with charging in Norway and Germany provides the confidence and scale to make a sustainable and customer focussed business in the UK. In all these markets Statkraft is already present with energy production and comprehensive market operations.”
Continue with 100% renewable energy
David Flood, Managing Director of Statkraft UK Ltd said: “Statkraft has ambitious growth plans and ambitions to contribute to the transition to a renewable energy powered transport sector in the UK. Long term investment into the UK market is a key part of our strategy. Electric vehicles will change the power industry in Europe, and to achieve an emission free transport sector, renewable energy must be used to charge electric vehicles."
Tomas Björnsson, Head of e-Mobility at Vattenfall said: “Vattenfall is taking stock and changing its focus to ensure that the transport offer in the UK is fit for purpose. We will do our utmost to ensure that customers experience limited disruption at this time. Statkraft are a good fit for our current electric vehicle business in the UK. They intend to continue to power the charging points with 100% renewable energy, which fits well with our purpose to enable fossil free living within one generation.”
See also:
Vattenfall and Hyundai cooperate to boost electric driving
Björnsson went on to say that “Vattenfall continues with its international growth in EV charging and aims to make electric driving the new norm in North-western Europe. Exiting the UK market with our electric vehicle charging offer does not impact our continued growth in the markets we are active in, but rather allows for further focus. Vattenfall has invested over £3.5bn in UK renewable generation and we will continue to invest in developing its core UK renewable power generation, heating, B2B sales and distribution businesses. With this, we hope to play a valuable role in supporting the UK government’s commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Grow the existing network
Over these coming months, Vattenfall will work with Statkraft to transfer the assets on a case by case basis to ensure there is no disruption to customers. In addition, Statkraft will look to grow the existing network working with existing and new customers and provide an offering of both Rapid and Fast chargers for UK drivers.
A Statkraft report published in September 2019 concluded that electric and hydrogen trucks will be able to compete on price with diesel trucks by 2025, and almost all new private vehicles and more than half of all new heavy vehicles will run on electricity or hydrogen by 2050. (mfo)
