Electric vehicle charging operator Allego has announced a €100 million investment into the UK EV market and is seeking partnerships with leading retail, hospitality and leisure brands to support the rollout.
The company plans to install up to 1,400 new ultra-fast charging points by 2030, with a focus on high-traffic retail and hospitality destinations, motorways and densely populated urban areas, including London.
Allego is looking to work with retailers, restaurant groups, hotels, leisure and roadside businesses with well-located sites that could host ultra-fast EV charging hubs.
Under Allego’s business model, the company finances, builds, owns and operates the charging infrastructure, covering all capital and operating costs. Partners can receive a long-term lease income without having to fund, manage or maintain the charging equipment.
The investment, backed by long-term infrastructure investor Meridiam, will make Allego one of the largest ultra-fast charging operators in the UK. It will also create jobs across Allego’s UK operations and supply chain, including roles in site development, construction, engineering and the ongoing operation of the network.
The charging hubs will provide retailers and hospitality operators with more than an additional customer service. By encouraging drivers to visit a site while they charge, the infrastructure can increase footfall, extend dwell time and create new opportunities for in-store, food and beverage or leisure spending.
Steven Salo, executive officer at Allego, said: “EV charging is becoming an increasingly important part of the customer experience across the retail and hospitality sectors. Drivers want convenient, reliable and ultra-fast charging in places where they can shop, eat, work or relax.
“Our model removes the upfront cost and operational responsibility associated with installing charging infrastructure. We finance and operate the equipment while providing partners with a long-term commercial opportunity.”
Allego has already developed partnerships with major consumer brands across Europe, including IKEA in Belgium, REWE in Germany and Burger King in France.
These partnerships extend beyond the installation of charging points. Allego also works with host businesses on joint marketing campaigns, loyalty initiatives and customer offers designed to encourage visits and strengthen the relationship between charging and the wider retail or hospitality experience.
The company began operating in the UK in 2017 and believes the country represents one of Europe’s strongest growth opportunities for EV charging.
Salo continued: “This €100 million commitment reflects our confidence in the UK EV market and in the role that retail and hospitality businesses can play in its growth.
“The UK is electrifying quickly, but charging infrastructure must expand at the same pace. Retailers, hospitality brands and leisure facilities have some of the best-located and most frequently visited sites in the country.
“We are looking for ambitious partners that want to improve their customer offer, strengthen their sustainability credentials and benefit from the commercial opportunities created by ultra-fast charging.
“We believe the new Government will make the right policy decisions to support the growth of the market. With a stable policy and investment environment, EV charging can support economic growth while providing infrastructure increasingly needed by consumers and businesses.”
Allego currently operates across 15 European countries and has more than 35,000 charging points across its wider network.
Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses interested in exploring partnership opportunities can contact Allego at UKInvestment@allego.eu.
