Breda, the Netherlands, 16 February 2022 – Opcharge, a supplier of charging solutions for the public and semi-public market, has attracted Ramphastos Investments as a major shareholder, thus securing an active partner to realise its ambitious growth strategy. No financial details were disclosed.
Internationally the Netherlands holds a prominent position in the area of electric mobility and is a leader in terms of charging infrastructure. The number of fully electric cars as well as plug-in hybrids is growing rapidly, and with it the demand for charging stations. In order to meet this growing demand the number of charging points in the Netherlands needs to increase from the current 83,000 to 1.8 million in 2030.
Financial clout
Founded in 2018, Opcharge specialises in the installation and management of public (on public roads) and semi-public charging points (for example at event venues, stadiums, theatres and museums). Opcharge combines a background in the automotive sector with extensive experience in public tenders and a data-driven approach. Cyriel van Bree, CEO and partner of the all-Dutch Opcharge: “The investment by Ramphastos Investments gives us the extra financial clout that can make all the difference in this fast-growing market. As a large shareholder Ramphastos will play an important role in realising our growth ambitions – not just with capital, but also with their knowledge, experience and network.”
International ambition
Principal at Ramphastos Investments Diedrik Oost: “The adoption of electric vehicles has really gained momentum in recent years. At the same time we see that the growth of the charging infrastructure is lagging. Around 200,000 charging points will need to be installed every year in the coming years to meet the growing charging demand. Opcharge’s ambition is to contribute significantly to this.” Moreover Oost sees major opportunities outside the Netherlands: “We look forward to working with Opcharge to further strengthen their market position, in the Netherlands but also beyond. While the focus will be on organic growth we certainly do not rule out further acquisitions. At Ramphastos we see great opportunities in the energy transition and sustainable mobility, our equity stake in Opcharge is an important step in this.”
About Opcharge
Opcharge was established in 2018 by Freddy van Nispen and Pieter Haans, both born and raised near Breda and having extensive experience in the automotive sector. They were early to recognise the huge potential of electric vehicles and how these will affect the whole driving chain in the Netherlands. As a specialist in the installation and management of public (on public roads) and semi-public charging points (for example at event venues, stadiums, theatres and museums) Opcharge has grown rapidly in recent years, partly through targeted acquisition and cooperation with Dutch suppliers and local contractors. Opcharge’s ambition is to have installed a total of 25,000 charging points by 2025.
For further information: OPCHARGE
About Ramphastos Investments
Ramphastos Investments was founded in 1994 by Dutch entrepreneur Marcel Boekhoorn. The company holds stakes in over 30 companies in various sectors, both within and outside the Netherlands, from start-ups to scale-ups and from rapidly growing medium-sized companies to mature enterprises. Total turnover is close to € 2.5 billion. Examples of successful investments by the company include those in Telfort, Mazarine Energy, i4F, Sim Industries and High Tech Campus Eindhoven.