DLA Piper advise Be.EV on acquisition of Mer UK's public charging network

DLA Piper has advised Be.EV, the rapid/ultra-rapid EV charging network built around drivers, on the acquisition of more than 1,600 charging bay sites in the UK, from Mer, a leading European electric vehicle charging company and subsidiary of Norwegian state-owned company Statkraft.

The acquisition of Mer's UK public charging network, across more than 450 sites, will strengthen Be.EV's presence across the South of England. This will create a truly nationwide UK footprint that complements its existing strength in the North and Midlands. As driver demand continues to shift towards faster, high-powered public charging, the deal moves Be.EV into the UK’s top 10 charging networks by rapid and ultra-rapid charging capacity.

DLA Piper's long-standing client Be.EV is majority owned by Octopus Energy Generation’s Sky Fund, including an employee ownership stake. The combined network will, in time, provide access to Be.EV’s market leading 39p/kWh subscription and 7pm-7am off-peak pricing. Mer’s UK public charging assets will be seamlessly integrated into Be.EV’s existing network and give access to its value pricing.

The DLA Piper team was led by Corporate partner Stephen Atkinson with support from senior associate Mark Cliffe and associate Katie Brown. Projects aspects of the deal were supported by partner Rubayet Choudhury and legal director Jacques Camilleri with Employment elements advised on by senior associate Jack Hugo.