Shell is to buy European on-street chargepoint company Ubitricity. Subject to regulatory clearance, the deal is expected to be completed later this year.

Founded in Berlin, Ubitricity operates in a number of European countries, and claims the largest public EV charging network in the UK with a 13% market share of over 2,700 charge points It has installed over 1,500 private charge points for fleet customers within Europe.

Ubitricity works with local authorities to integrate EV charging into existing street infrastructure such as lamp posts and bollards.

Shell said the acquisition will provide critical competencies, helping Shell to scale its overall EV charging offer, which already includes over 1,000 ultra-fast and fast charging points at approximately 430 Shell retail sites.

István Kapitány, executive vice president of Shell Global Mobility, said, “Working with local authorities, we want to support the growing number of Shell customers who want to switch to an EV by making it as convenient as possible for them. On-street options such as the lamp post charging offered by ubitricity will be key for those who live and work in cities or have limited access to off-street parking. Whether at home, at work or on-the-go, we want to provide our customers with accessible and affordable EV charging options so they can charge up no matter where they are.”

Shell plans to expands its low-carbon transport options for customers. Once the deal is completed, Ubitricity is expected to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell.