How One Deal Tripled Be.EV's UK Charging Footprint Overnight

Be.EV has acquired Mer’s UK public charging network, adding more than 1,600 charging bays to its portfolio across more than 450 locations nationwide.

The deal instantly triples Be.EV’s network, reinforcing its role as a major player in the UK’s electric mobility and energy infrastructure sector.

The move builds on Be.EV’s established presence in the North and Midlands, where the operator already runs more than 2,500 bays across 680 sites.

This expansion gives the firm a broader regional balance, with significant new capacity in the South of England.

Aligning with growing energy demand

The UK’s rising demand for electricity-powered mobility is accelerating the need for fast, high-powered public charging. Data from the SMMT shows the shift: hybrid EV volumes rose 7.2% to a 13.9% share, while plug-in hybrids climbed 34.7% to reach 11.1% of registrations.

Deloitte’s findings confirm that reliable public infrastructure is essential to consumer confidence, and Be.EV’s expansion supports this need.

The company’s strategy focuses on making charging choices simpler for EV drivers transitioning from internal combustion vehicles to fully electrified transport.

Rapid charging leadership

Following the integration of Mer’s business, Be.EV now counts among the top ten operators of rapid and ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure in the UK.

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.”

Customer access and affordability

Be.EV continues to build affordability into its network, offering an off-peak tariff of 39p from 7pm to 7am, which it plans to extend further. Its Mini and Mega subscription options simplify rapid and ultra-rapid access at reduced rates, priced at £0.49 (US$0.65) per kWh and £0.39 (US$0.52) per kWh respectively.

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.”

Powering the green energy transition

Be.EV’s growth is backed by Octopus Energy Generation’s Sky Fund, a key investor in renewable and energy infrastructure. The partnership forms part of a larger strategy to accelerate the green energy transition.

Research from McKinsey estimates that achieving a net zero pathway requires US$9.2tn in annual spending on physical assets.

Octopus Energy’s Sky Fund, launched in 2021, has raised more than US$2.5bn from institutional partners, investing in renewable infrastructure across Europe and Asia, including wind and solar projects in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Ireland and Japan.

Asif Ghafoor 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.”