Two prominent electric vehicle charging infrastructure companies have abandoned their UK operations, marking a significant retreat from Britain's EV market.
Compleo and Plug Me In announced their departures amid challenging business environments, following BP's exit from workplace charging services in July.
The withdrawals underscore mounting difficulties facing the sector, with harsh trading circumstances in the EV charging infrastructure industry prompting both firms to cease UK activities.
Compleo delivered various charging solutions ranging from slow to rapid options for fleet electric vehicle operations and served major clients, including Network Rail and Islington Council.
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Plug Me In, under parent company Calisen ownership, had previously retreated from Britain's domestic EV charger market last year, before this complete withdrawal from the charging network.
German parent company Kostal has confirmed the immediate termination of Compleo Charging Solutions UK operations. The closure impacts significant infrastructure projects across the country.
Islington Council had selected Compleo earlier this year to implement a charging infrastructure programme worth £1.2million. This investment now faces uncertainty following the abrupt market exit.
A Compleo representative stated: "After careful consideration, our parent company, Kostal, has made the decision to cease operations of Compleo Charging Solutions UK with immediate effect."
Two EV charge point operators have exited the UK market
|GETTY
The company assured existing customers that UK staff would provide short-term assistance before responsibility transfers to German headquarters.
The spokesperson added: "We want to reassure our customers that they will continue to receive full support in the short term from the UK team; however, soon after this, support will transition to our head office team in Germany."
Plug Me In's managing director, Kim Ratcliffe, outlined the company's reasoning in correspondence to business partners at the end of August.
The firm will abandon EV charging, heat pump and environmental product sales to concentrate on commercial solar installations.
Compleo recently signed an agreement with Islington Council
|COMPLEO
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An email to staff explained: "Market conditions have remained tough, the energy sector continues to be volatile, and the Government policy and regulatory changes we anticipated would accelerate demand for net-zero technologies, particularly in heat and electric vehicles, have been slower to materialise than expected."
Jonny Berry, head of decarbonisation, innovation and strategy at Novuna Vehicle Solutions, highlighted the dangers these departures create.
He said: "For fleet operators in the market, hearing of these exits might not breed confidence that now is the right time to be investing in electrification.
"This slow pace can leave businesses exposed if they are locked into fragile supply chains or working with providers without the financial strength to withstand market headwinds."
There are more than 85,000 public EV chargers around the UK
| PALocal authorities and fleet managers face particular risks when infrastructure suppliers withdraw, potentially stranding significant investments.
Berry recommended comprehensive evaluation methods for fleet managers selecting charging infrastructure partners.
Financial stability assessments of suppliers, thorough examination of long-term strategies, and verification of interoperability standards form essential procurement criteria.
"It's not just about the kit you buy, it's about who you buy it from," Berry emphasised, while advocating partnerships with seasoned providers capable of delivering dependable solutions.