Finnish electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy platform provider Virta said it has acquired Scandinavian fleet software specialist Northe, in a move it says will establish Europe’s most comprehensive platform for EV fleet, charging and energy solutions.
Helsinki-based Virta said Northe’s software will complement its existing services, with the combined company forming the largest B2B EV driver platform in the Nordics. Virta said the platform already supports more than 100,000 active EV drivers.
Northe, founded in Sweden as Charge4go AB, has rapidly grown its presence in Scandinavia, working with some of the region’s largest leasing companies and fleet operators. Its platform focuses on fleet management, reporting and operational services, helping businesses reduce costs and improve transparency.
“Fleets are currently the fastest-growing segment of electric mobility in Europe,” Virta said in a statement. “This growth is driven by the economic viability of electric fleets, as well as companies’ decarbonisation targets.” Company-registered vehicles, including benefit cars and operational fleets, now make up about 60% of new EV sales in the EU, it added.
Ilkka Vanhanen, Chief Revenue Officer at Virta, said Northe’s technology would strengthen the company’s offering. “Northe’s platform is among the most advanced and future-proof solutions available,” he said. “By combining it with Virta’s market-leading charging business management, energy management and Virtual Power Plant platform, we are introducing a solution with unprecedented comprehensiveness, seamlessness and cost-effectiveness for leasing companies, rental car firms, and corporate and light commercial vehicle stakeholders.”
Northe co-founder and CEO David Fauné said the deal would accelerate international growth. “Virta’s strong presence and extensive customer base in key EV markets across Europe now provide a fast track for scaling Northe’s technology beyond Sweden, Denmark and Norway, where we have quickly earned the trust of the largest leasing companies and fleet operators,” he said. For existing partners and customers, the acquisition “will lead to a stronger Northe with more resources, a stronger public charging network and sharper focus to deliver on all current and future challenges they are facing,” he added.