Believ acquires SMS Public EV Charging

Charge point operator Believ has entered a strategic partnership with energy infrastructure business Smart Metering Systems (SMS) by acquiring its Public EV Charging business.

The acquisition, explains Believ, will further accelerate the deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

With SMS’ national footprint and valued relationships with landowners in retail, hospitality and parking, Believ says it will widen the reach of its EV charging for drivers and site providers.

Believ currently operates a rapidly growing network of almost 1,700 charge points, offering all charging speeds and using 100% renewable energy across 547 UK locations.

The partnership will see 10 employees join the Believ team to provide continuity of services to SMS’ existing and prospective customers, whilst SMS will continue to provide related metering, delivery and energy services.

Believ will open new offices in Wales and Scotland as their footprint across the United Kingdom grows.

Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, said: “This partnership answers this requirement by combining the ideal skills and expertise to accelerate the scale and pace of the UK’s infrastructure deployment. And crucially, we are well placed to deliver EV charging infrastructure that is of the highest possible standards.

“Would-be EV drivers need to see more charge points, in the right places and working brilliantly, to make the switch. We’re now in an even better position to deliver on those requirements.”

Tim Mortlock, CEO at SMS, says Believ’s, complementary capabilities and established market presence will make this a strong partnership.

“Believ’s significant backing make it a reliable, long-term partner and ideally placed to provide long-term stability to all stakeholders,” he added.

“Its wealth of specialist EV charging experience evidenced by its UK-wide network of reliable charge points ideally complements our own.

“By joining forces with Believ, we can offer wider and better services to customers across all segments of the market.”