Alpiq, an electric power company, and Groupe E have agreed to merge their charging networks for electric cars in Switzerland, which will be effective from next year.

The decision by these two companies will be beneficial for Swiss consumers as they will be able to access 300 charging stations.

This new collaboration will be operating under the name MOVE, and will be Switzerland’s largest public charging network.

As part of this new collaboration MOVE charging station network, which incorporates Groupe E, BKW, CKW, IWB, EBM, Renault, Romande Energie, SIG, SOCAR and 20 other partners, is merging with Alpiq’s easy4you charging network.

Alpiq charging network features numerous partner companies which includes ewb, sgsw, ebl, EWD IBC, Flims Electric, energie Thun, WB Steckborn and the Grand Tour of Switzerland Association.

"The smartphone application will help drivers in locating charging stationsand guide the driver the closest unoccupied charging station."

It is reported that partners of MOVE and easy4you, which supply electricity to the customers via the merged network, will be benefited with an increased number of charging station locations that can be found on the smartphone app, which ensures optimal utilisation of the charging stations.

The smartphone application will help drivers in locating charging stationsand guide the driver the closest unoccupied charging station.

The merger of Alpiq and Groupe E is beneficial to the customer as they can choose to pay using a prepaid system or on the basis of a subscription. E-car drivers will also have an option to select solution that suits them best.

Image: An electric car being charged. Photo: courtesy of Alpiq.