Hønefoss, Norway, January 9, 2023 – In 2014, Bellona established an AC charging network, called eRoute71, across more than 20 sites.
These charging points have now become part of Kople’s charging network. Bellona contacted Kople when they decided it was an appropriate time for an established EV Charging Point Operator (“CPO”) to take over their nationwide charging network for further development.
Frederic Hauge, Founder of Bellona, said: “We established eRoute71 to fulfill the need for EV charging infrastructure in Norway. Since then, major players have established themselves and our job is complete. We are very pleased that a company like Kople, which is an excellent CPO, is taking over the company.”
Joar Brunes, CEO of Kople, commented: “The locations where Bellona has set up charging points are attractive and well-visited. Bellona has had good working relationships with site owners, which are expected to continue. These site owners were early movers forecasting the need and possibility of facilitating EV charging. We will ensure that the charging offer remains relevant and user-friendly. This means offering reliable and simple payment solutions on chargers, visibility in charging maps and expanding the locations when we see that charging customers require a larger charging network. Now that electric car sharing is much more common than in 2014, several of the locations are already ready for expansion.”
Kople provides destination charging and is constantly working to create charging offers in places where people stay for long durations. EV drivers often want to charge closer to where they are, instead of stopping to charge along the way. Such charging, which often takes place overnight, also makes better use of the power grid. Destination charging is thus important for further electrification of the EV passenger car market.
Joar Brunes added: “Our focus on destination charging is getting a boost, thanks to the fact that the eRoute71 charging points are joining the Kople charging network. We are proud that Bellona has trusted us to bring eRoute71 to a higher level!”
About Bellona Holding and BEBA
Bellona Holding AS works on the creation and acceleration of the green industry. The company was formally established in December 2010, and is wholly owned by Miljøstiftelsen Bellona. Today, the company has five full-time employees and owns, amongst others, BEBA AS.
BEBA AS was established in 2016 to accelerate the development of the battery industry. BEBA stands for ‘Bellona Energy Storage, Battery and Applications’ and brings together Bellona Holding’s work with the electrification of transport, advisory services for the battery industry, as well as driving innovation and development of the batteries of the future.
About Kople
Kople builds and operates EV charging sites equipped with DC chargers (fast and ultra-fast) and AC chargers. Kople’s charging sites are located in public car parks, retailers and shops, hotels, and in private housing associations and condominiums. Kople works with sites owner over the entire journey, from planning to financing, assembly, operation and support.
Kople was established in 2019, currently has 22 employees and is headquartered in Hønefoss.