IONITY, Europe’s leading high-power charging network, has announced a €700m investment to accelerate the Europe-wide expansion of its network and improve the customer charging experience.
The combined investment comes from existing IONITY shareholders, together with new partner the BlackRock Global Renewable Power Platform, which has already directly invested in over 300 projects globally, including onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar photovoltaic projects.
The entry of BlackRock as a shareholder and the commitment of our current shareholders underline IONITY’s attractiveness for investors and confirm the strength of our strategy. The trust and investment of all shareholders will accelerate IONITY’s growth, the expansion of our high-power charging network across Europe and more broadly, the decarbonisation of the mobility sector.
Dr. Michael Hajesch, CEO of IONITY
BlackRock becomes the first company from outside the automotive sector to become a shareholder in the IONITY joint venture, which includes BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Group with KIA, Mercedes-Benz AG, and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche.
The investment will enable IONITY – which is open to drivers of all electric vehicle brands and present in 24 countries – to increase the number of high-power 350kW charging points by more than four times, to reach 7,000 by 2025. The expansion will also see IONITY grow from 400 to more than 1,000 locations along high traffic corridors in Europe, as well as enhancing existing sites with additional charging points. This will serve to both enhance customers’ charging experience and prepare for increasing demand in electric vehicle charging.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is vital to achieve a net zero future. IONITY is one of Europe’s leading EV charging networks, bringing together auto industry pioneers to create a seamless experience for emission free driving across Europe. We are delighted to be supporting their growth ambition and providing our clients with access to an innovative company that is powering the clean energy transition.
David Giordano, Global Head of Renewable Power, BlackRock
The electrification of the mobility sector is increasingly urgent to achieve net-zero targets and stay on a 1.5-degree trajectory under the Paris agreement. Under EU legislation, most fossil fuel-powered cars are to be replaced by electric vehicles in the next ten years, requiring a significant expansion of charging infrastructure that is powered by 100% renewable energy. IONITY’s expansion will help remove a major hurdle to the adoption of electric vehicle and reduce the risk of range-anxiety around long-distance travel.
BNP Paribas acted as exclusive financial advisor to IONITY for its equity fundraising, following its role in supporting early-stage financing as well as providing cash management services.
This combined investment underlines the power of partnerships between corporates and investors to scale up and deploy the green solutions needed to accelerate the transition towards net-zero mobility. We are proud to build on our long-term partnership with IONITY, which is taking a leading role in this critical transformation.
Yannick Jung, Head of CIB Global Banking EMEA, BNP Paribas
Smart financing in green mobility
Through the strength of its diversified and integrated model, BNP Paribas has a strong track record in the financing and investment requirements of the green mobility transition, and is a partner of Movin’ON, an international ecosystem on Sustainable Mobility, alongside of more than 250 companies. The Group is actively involved in the sustainable mobility ecosystem, including battery players, automotive software companies and infrastructure owners.
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