EG Group teams up with Tesla for ultra-fast EV charging technology

EG Group, the Blackburn-based garage forecourts and foods business, has invested in Tesla’s ultra-fast chargers to accelerate the roll-out of its evpoint charging network across the UK and Europe.

The evpoint division was founded in 2021 as part of EG Group’s investments in energy transition with a focus on lower carbon vehicular fuels.

It has a heritage that dates to 2012, when EG Group installed its first charger at a site next to London’s Heathrow Airport. The evpoint flagship site, the home of six ultrafast chargers, opened in August 2022 at Frontier Park in Blackburn.

The division is one of Europe’s fastest growing EV charging networks with access to more than 3,500 roadside retail sites across the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. All evpoint chargers are supplied by 100% renewable energy.

The chargers will be branded ‘evpoint’ and will leverage Tesla’s industry-leading technology. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.

The hardware will operate on an open network basis, meaning that all drivers will be able to access evpoint chargers regardless of the brand of vehicle they drive.

The chargers will also support the Plug and Charge protocol, which simplifies and automates payments. The first of the new charger units are expected to be rolling out before the end of the year.

Zuber Issa, founder and co-CEO of EG Group, said: “Securing this best-in-class equipment from Tesla marks another milestone for evpoint and is hugely exciting for us.

“It is the first deal of its kind entered into by Tesla with a third-party charge point operator in Europe and will transform how our customers charge their vehicles and how they interact with EG.

“Since installing our first EV charger back in 2012, we have continued to invest in the technology. This deal will accelerate the delivery of vital charging infrastructure for motorists to help power the transition to net zero.”

Imraan Patel, chief strategy and business officer of EG Group, said: “Our aim is to deliver a three-pronged strategy to help us reach our energy transition goals.

“These include EV charging, supporting alternative forms of vehicular fuel, and broader carbon reduction, all of which are central to our strategy of helping the world transition to a lower carbon future.

“We have made significant progress to date on EV charging, with more than 600 chargers across 189 sites already deployed and a pipeline prepared with an ambition for evpoint to roll out more than 20,000 chargers across c.3,600 of our own sites over time with opportunities across third party locations also being pursued.”

Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, said: “The rapid installation of reliable, easy-to-use EV charging infrastructure is the right step towards a sustainable future and a key area of focus for us at Tesla.

“For this reason, we’re excited to make our fast-charging hardware available for purchase to EG Group, and other leaders in the space.”