How Be.EV is Growing its UK Charging Network

Be.EV tripled its network of public charging stations overnight with the acquisition of Mer's UK operations. 

The acquisition significantly adds to Be.EV’s presence in the South of England and builds on its already established network in the North and Midlands, where it has more than 2,500 bays and in excess of 680 sites. 

UK charging demands

Demand is rapidly growing for fast, high-powered public charging.

According to market data from the SMMT, hybrid EV volumes rose by 7.2% to achieve a 13.9% market share, while plug-in hybrids were the fastest growing, with volumes increasing 34.7% to take 11.1% of registrations. 

Research from Deloitte’s Global Automotive Consumer Study found that a lack of public EV charging infrastructure and a lack of a charger at home are major concerns for UK drivers. 

The move from Be.EV is part of a growing strategy to give EV drivers simpler choices after switching to an EV from an ICE vehicle. 

Fast charging speeds

This deal with Mer now places Be.EV among the top ten providers of rapid and ultra-rapid charging infrastructure. 

Kristoffer Thoner, CEO at Mer, says: “We are pleased to see Mer’s UK public charging network join Be.EV, a company with a strong customer-centric approach and clear ambitions in public charging.

"This transaction supports Be.EV’s growth while allowing Mer to sharpen our strategic focus on our core European markets. 

“Ultimately, both companies share the same goal - making EV charging simple and accessible for everyone.”

What it means for customers

Be.EV has an off peak tariff of 39p from 7pm to 7am. Over time, this will be made available to more customers. 

It offers multiple subscription options called Mini and Mega, designed to make rapid and ultra-rapid public charging simpler and more cost effective. 

Both plans unlock access to cheaper charging, with Mini offering £0.49 (US$0.65) per kWh for £4.99 (US$6.62) per month and Mega offering £0.39 (US$0.52) per kWh for £9.99 (US$13.25) per month.

In a post on LinkedIn, Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV writes: “Who cares about size, for me it’s all about customers. 

"We were born in the north but our network is now bigger in the south of England!!!

"Our record breaking 7pm to 7am off peak tariff of 39p is now available to more customers 

"The Be.EV charging experience will now be easy to access for lots more drivers. We achieved 99.1% availability on our network in 2025.”

Green energy transition

Be.EV is majority owned by Octopus Energy Generation’s Sky Fund. It is part of an accelerated strategy for the green energy transition.

Research from McKinsey found that an investment of US$9.2tn was needed in annual average spending on physical assets in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The Sky Fund launched in 2021 and Octopus has raised more than US$2.5bn from institutional investors. Through this fund, Octopus invests in a globally diversified portfolio of renewable and energy infrastructure assets.

It includes investments in British and Dutch offshore and German and Swedish onshore wind farms as well as in developers of new solar energy projects in Ireland and Japan.

Asif Ghafor says: “We’re delighted to bring Mer’s network into Be.EV and even more excited about what it means for drivers.

"People don’t want to think about charging, they just want it to work, wherever they are. This acquisition brings the reliable Be.EV experience to more locations, and the scale we gain helps us keep charging affordable, including our off-peak and subscription pricing from 39p/kWh.

"It’s a natural fit with our network and sits alongside our continued investment in new sites and service improvements.”