Charge point operator Believ has acquired Smart Metering Systems’ (SMS Plc) public EV charging business entity and all assets for an undisclosed amount.

L-R: Eugenio Herrero Galdon, managing director of Public EV Charging Infrastructure, SMS Plc, with Guy Bartlett, CEO at Believ

The deal will see the SMS EV Charging business integrated into the Believ brand, phasing out SMS’s current EV charging brand.

Believ said the partnership would further accelerate the rollout of public EV charging by combining SMS’ low-carbon energy infrastructure experience in metering, power network design, delivery and energy services, with Believ’s wide-ranging and proven EV charging capabilities. These include charge point network deployment, operation, maintenance and communications networking, the latter through delivery partner Virgin Media O2.

SMS has a strong national footprint and relationships with landowners in retail, hospitality and parking, widening the reach of Believ’s EV charging experience.

Believ, which is backed by Liberty Global and Zouk Capital, operates a rapidly growing network of almost 1,700 charge points, offering all charging speeds and using 100% renewable energy across 547 UK locations.

Tim Mortlock, CEO at SMS, said: “Believ’s significant backing make it a reliable, long-term partner and ideally placed to provide long-term stability to all stakeholders. 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.”

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 its footprint across the UK grows.

Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, commented: “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.”