Pod acquires EO Charging

EV charging provider Pod has acquired EO Charging, a company providing EV fleet charging and end-to-end depot charging software solutions.

A subsidiary of EDF, Pod supports grid balancing through incentivised smart charging. Pod has made progress over the past 24 months in building an offering across homes, workplaces, public charging and now commercial fleet infrastructure.

Founded in 2014, EO Charging provides specialist depot charging software and technologies designed to help fleet operators manage charging performance, optimise energy usage and support large-scale EV operations for customers including Amazon, DHL and Tesco. 

EO Charging entered administration last month after encountering cashflow problems.

The acquisition of EO Charging expands Pod’s capabilities across logistics, transport and operational fleet environments, complementing its existing strengths across home, workplace and public charging.

Working together with EDF, Pod believes a combined offering will integrate depot software, energy supply, smart energy management and flexibility trading to support fleet operators as electrification continues to scale across the UK.

While general EV uptake continues to accelerate as the cost advantages over ICE vehicles grow, Pod says fleet electrification has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments on the back of targeted government funding and regulatory tailwinds. 

However, limited grid capacity and lengthy connection times are major barriers to fleet electrification, increasing demand for software and energy management solutions that help operators optimise charging, maximise charger density and make better use of existing network capacity. 

Pod says overnight depot charging represents a growing opportunity to support a smarter, more flexible energy system by shifting demand away from peak periods and making better use of renewable power.

Existing EO Charging customers will continue to receive an uninterrupted service, creating a base from which Pod can support depot charging customers today and develop new services over time.

Melanie Lane, chief executive of Pod, said: “We’re delighted to welcome EO Charging into the Pod family at such an exciting moment for fleet electrification, with their specialist depot charging capabilities strongly complementing Pod’s existing strengths in smart charging and flexibility. Together, we’re expanding Pod’s role at the centre of the UK’s shift towards smarter, more connected electric mobility.

Philippe Commaret, managing director for customers at EDF, said: “EDF’s purpose is to enable a more electric Britain. Helping our business customers reduce their bills and increase their competitiveness is central to our strategy. This acquisition allows our Pod subsidiary to help vehicle fleets benefit from electrification, improving their efficiency while also reducing their carbon emissions.”