Shell to acquire evpass Swiss EV charging network

Back in 2016, evpass founder Francois Randin set out to create Switzerland's first major EV charging network leveraging assets from his earlier startup Green Motion, a car lease platform.
Shell to acquire evpass Swiss EV charging network

Global energy major Shell has struck a deal to acquire the evpass EV charging network in Switzerland. The UK-HQed corporate will take 100% of evpass's shares, gaining control of its charging points and adding its 50,000 subscribers.

The board of evpass says Shell's strategic involvement will elevate its development plans, building on its existing reach in every Swiss canton, with roughly one third of Swiss municipalities possessing at least one of its charging stations. 

Hasan Haybat, head of Shell's Swiss petrol station business, said: "For many, the switch to an e-car is linked to finding enough charging options. We want to drive the mobility revolution by making it easy for people to take the step to climate-friendly mobility."

Branded Switzerland's largest charging network, evpass arrived on the stage in 2016 as an offshoot of Green Motion, a provider of low-emissions rental cars.

Green Motion and evpass share the same founder, François Randin. In early 2021 Randin stood aside as Green Motion CEO, and at roughly the same time he left the evpass board of directors. 

Randin said Shell's acquisition had vindicated his main objectives, including monetising the use of Green Motion's existing infrastructure, as the rental network had already started to operate EV charging points.

Green Motion was also exited in a 2021 acquisition by the US/Irish power management firm Eaton.

"Today, Shell bought evpass, the largest public network in Switzerland," wrote Randin in a LinkedIn update.

"I am sure that Shell, as a major global energy player, is the best investor to secure the growth of evpass and continue my original vision of responsible and environmentally friendly mobility."

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