The partnership has been formed with the intention of expanding the charging network in Europe in anticipation of the growing market. Has·to·be already provides software for some of the Volkswagen Group’s stations.

“Simple and convenient charging is essential for the rapid breakthrough of e-mobility,” said Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for E-Mobility. “We not only need more charging stations; they must also be networked and function in an intelligent way. Charging an electric car must be just as commonplace as charging a smart phone. Together with has·to·be, we want to open up and develop the rapidly growing business area of charging infrastructure. We will also be using has·to·be software ourselves. Throughout the Group, we will be installing about 36,000 charging points throughout Europe up to 2025. In future, charging will therefore be quicker and more convenient.”

Has·to·be is said in a Volkswagen press release to manage more than 16,000 charging points worldwide, with the company partnering with IONITY, a charging network joint venture of BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche. Elli is acquiring approximately a quarter of has·to·be’s shares.

“Elli has set itself the goal of digitally networking the topics of energy and mobility. We want to make charging simple and affordable and to establish our company as a reliable partner for innovative, sustainable energy solutions connected with electric vehicles. With our participation in has·to·be, we are now laying the foundation for a seamless customer experience during charging and for the integration of further digital services of the Volkswagen Group. This participation is a further consistent step in our strategy for the intelligent networking of charging and energy.