Electric vehicle charging solutions specialist EO Charging has formed a partnership with Horizon Energy Ventures to jointly accelerate rollout of sustainable energy infrastructure projects including bus depot electrification.
it will see the two parties deliver what they term “alternative consumption models” that “align with customers’ operational and financial needs.” That includes scalable and fully funded infrastructure solutions.
Work with EO charging is Horizon Energy Ventures’ first involvement with UK battery-electric bus infrastructure. Head of Investment David Freeder says that Horizon looks forward to exploring further opportunities in the sector and to funding UK operators’ needs in that field.
A joint multi-million-pound investment between the two businesses will speed rollout of EO’s Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) offering. It involves an end-to-end infrastructure solution delivered under a flexible monthly payment structure.
CaaS is said to simplify fleet electrification by combining hardware, software and maintenance into a monthly fee. That eliminates a need for upfront investment and streamlines the move to electric by delivering a clear and accessible pathway.
The CaaS offering is underpinned by EO’s Charge Assurance platform, which the supplier says actively manages operators’ energy and flexibility needs while ensuring business critical fleet outcomes.
It guarantees vehicle readiness, uptime and availability, an approach that EO adds makes the transition to electric “more accessible and financially sustainable.”
The partnership comes as the UK bus market continues to electrify. The two parties note that such change at pace demands scalable and high-performance charging solutions, and substantial investment.
EO has already played a role in electrifying many London bus depots. It is additionally set to bring multiple Transport UK London Bus operating centres onto the Charge Assurance platform in an integration that “will enhance visibility, operational reliability and efficiency across London’s public transport network.”
Speaking about the collaboration, EO Charging CEO Richard Staveley says: “We are delighted to partner with Horizon Energy Ventures to support the transition to zero-emission fleet transportation.
“This joint investment will accelerate our Charging-as-a-Service model, offering fully funded solutions that make fleet electrification more accessible.
“We are already delivering our Charging-as-a-Service solution, underpinned by our Charge Assurance platform, in London for Transport UK, and we are proud to support its ongoing electrification programme.
“With over 200 EV fleet projects delivered across the UK and Europe, EO’s end-to-end expertise ensures that we provide the infrastructure and service our customers need to scale and achieve key business outcomes.”