Eviny’s acquisition of Mer needs further examination

The Norwegian Competition Authority will investigate Eviny’s acquisition of its competitor Mer more closely, to assess whether the transaction may lead to reduced competition in the market for fast charging of electric vehicles.

Publicly available charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is important for many car owners in Norway and for the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Eviny Elektrifisering and Mer Norway are among the largest charging operators in Norway, and own and operate fast-charging and ultra-fast charging stations across large parts of the country. In several areas where the companies currently compete, there are few alternative charging operators.

– Access to publicly available fast-charging and ultra-fast charging stations is essential for many electric vehicle owners. If competition in the market is reduced, this could lead to higher prices, poorer quality and a slower pace of infrastructure development, says Ingvild Nordtveit, project manager at the Norwegian Competition Authority.

To assess the competitive effects of the acquisition, the Norwegian Competition Authority has obtained information from Eviny and Mer, as well as from other market participants.

Today, the Norwegian Competition Authority notified the parties that further investigation of the acquisition is required.

– We will now conduct a thorough assessment of how the acquisition may affect competition before deciding whether there are grounds for intervention, says Marita Mæland Skjæveland, Director of the Construction, Industry and Energy Department.

Updated information about the proceedings is available on the merger case page.