Iberdrola networks with Leroy Merlin and First Stop

The Spanish energy supplier Iberdrola has concluded two further cooperations for the development of charging infrastructure. 400 charging points are planned at branches of the DIY chain Leroy Merlin in Spain and more than 50 charging points in cooperation with First Stop in Spain and Portugal.

The agreement with Leroy Merlin covers all branches of the DIY chain in Spain, with the charging infrastructure roll-out to start in Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid and Valencia. According to Iberdrola, each branch will receive at least four parking spaces with charging stations, including devices with a capacity of between 50 and 350 kW. The partners define the target group as customers as well as employees and suppliers. The electricity supplied is to come 100 % from renewable sources.

Iberdrola is realising another 50 or so public charging points in cooperation with the Bridgestone subsidiary First Stop, a car repair shop chain with a focus on tyre and maintenance services. The partners envisage the installation of charging points with 350 kW, 150 kW, 50 kW and 22 kW, whereby First Stop will provide the locations for the charging stations, while Iberdrola will supply, install and operate the equipment. The jointly planned charging infrastructure is to be installed “along the main roads in Spain and Portugal”. Currently, 14 charging stations in six autonomous regions are said to already be “at an advanced stage of development”.

For its part, the Bridgestone Group, which owns First Stop, plans to install up to 3,500 new charging points in its European retail and service network over the next five years, working with EVBox Group and TSG. The roll-out is set to start in France and Italy before expanding to the UK, Germany, Poland, Spain and other European countries.

Iberdrola says that both the charging points at Leroy Merlin and First Stop can be located and activated via the Recarga Pública app. The payment process also runs via the app. The Spanish energy provider wants to invest 150 million euros in the installation of 150,000 charging points in households, businesses, cities and on motorways and highways within five years. The Spanish company is aiming to install 350 kW stations every 200 kilometres, 150 kW stations every 100 kilometres and 50 kW stations every 50 kilometres. In order to realise the comprehensive network, Iberdrola says it has now concluded more than 50 agreements with government agencies, institutions, companies, petrol stations, vehicle dealers and manufacturers.

Iberdrola will supply and install charging stations for all private and commercial buyers of the EQ models in Spain on behalf of Mercedes-Benz and supply them with green electricity. In parallel, the utility is pushing ahead with equipping petrol stations with charging points as part of agreements with Avia, Ballenoil and Valcarcel. Other projects exist with groups such as Ikea, Burger King, Telefonica, REE and Auchán. Iberdrola will also develop e-mobility services for Renault and Ferrovial’s electric car-sharing service Zity.

iberdrola.com (Leroy Merlin), iberdrola.com (First Stop)