Ambitious Bristol-based energy supplier OVO has entered the fast-growing electric vehicle market by acquiring two specialist firms and forming a partnership with the UK’s largest provider of infrastructure to the sector.
At the same time OVO, which employs around 900 in Bristol, has launched a service which offers its energy customers free membership to the largest nationwide electric vehicle charging network.
Called EV Everywhere, it will bundle renewable household energy with free membership to the POLAR, with more than 5,000 electric vehicle charge points it is the UK’s largest nationwide network. 
The partnership with Luton-based Chargemaster will exclusively supply 100% renewable electricity to POLAR.
OVO, which was formed just seven years ago as a small, independent UK gas and electricity supplier, also signalled its intention to be a major player in the ‘smart grid’ for the electric vehicle sector. It announced it will introduce its proprietary VNet technology across the network, unlocking smart charging capabilities on a national scale.
This will ultimately enable OVO customers’ electric vehicles to function as mobile batteries at home and on-the-go, balancing renewable energy on the grid and allowing drivers to sell back unused energy.
The acquisitions of the two electric vehicle specialists – Chesterfield-based ChargedEV and Indra Renewable Technologies, based in Worcestershire – will accelerate OVO further into the market by harnessing their technical expertise.
OVO said that combined with Chargemaster’s technology, it will be able to develop a game-changing smart charger, due to be launched to market later this year.
OVO CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Chargemaster. Mass adoption of electric vehicles will completely revolutionise the energy sector as the number of cars on UK roads reach one million in the next five years.
“Working with Chargemaster, and combining ChargedEV and Indra’s technical expertise to develop a smart charging solution utilising our ground-breaking VNet technology, we will help solve some of the challenges faced with the growing demand for electricity.
“We will also provide our customers with a complete at-home and on-the-go energy solution, enabling zero-carbon driving.”
Chargemaster CEO David Martell added: “We very pleased that OVO Energy has joined us as the exclusive energy supplier for our POLAR network. Through our partnership, we look to accelerate the growth of our network with the ability to offer 100% green energy and smart charging capabilities to our charge points across the country.”
OVO has now made four acquisitions in just over six months – for its first seven years its fast-paced growth was organic.
In February it snapped up US firm VCharge, which has developed systems that make transmitting renewable energy more reliable. The groundbreaking technology uses advanced algorithms to balance grid requirements with the needs of individual users.
In May it took over CORGI HomePlan, the UK’s third-largest home service provider, marking another step in diversifying from core energy supplier towards an energy services company.
