Allego, a leading provider of charging infrastructure, has announced a partnership with the Porta Group, a prominent German family business operating furniture stores across Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. As part of this collaboration, Allego will install 1,500 charge points at various Porta Group locations, catering to the growing electric vehicle (EV) market.
The installation will feature a combination of 50 kW and 150 kW chargers, which will be accessible to both Porta Group customers and third-party users. This strategic decision by Allego aims to accommodate the longer dwell times typically associated with furniture stores, providing ample opportunity for EV owners to charge their vehicles during their visit.
The comprehensive order from Allego encompasses charging stations for 123 Porta Group sites, with a primary focus on Germany. Notably, the first fast charging stations have already been deployed at Porta stores in Potsdam (Brandenburg), Altenburg (Thuringia), and Markranstädt (Saxony). Moreover, Allego has equipped the Porta Group headquarters in Porta Westfalica (East Westphalia) with high-power charging stations, ensuring convenient access for both staff and visitors.
Highlighting the future-proof nature of the charging infrastructure, Allego and the Porta Group have ensured that the charging stations can be upgraded to support ultra-fast charging as technology advances. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates the partners’ commitment to staying ahead of the curve in meeting the evolving needs of the EV market.
To enhance convenience for EV users, all charging stations will be listed on Allego’s Smoov app, as well as other third-party charging apps. This integration aims to provide seamless access to charging facilities across the Porta Group’s network of locations, enabling electric car drivers to easily locate and utilize the available infrastructure.
The management of the Porta Group expressed their desire to collaborate with a partner that possesses the expertise, scalability, and innovative mindset required to shape the future of charging solutions. Reflecting on their successful test run in Potsdam in 2021, the Porta Group decided to continue their journey with Allego, confident in their ability to deliver on their shared vision.
Mathieu Bonnet, CEO of Allego, emphasized the company’s deliberate choice to offer lower charging capacities and a higher number of charging points. This decision aligns with the understanding that customers visiting furniture stores tend to have longer dwell times, enabling them to fully charge their vehicles while engaging in their shopping experience. Bonnet expressed his excitement about the partnership with Porta, recognizing the company’s extensive network of furniture stores and their shared commitment to establishing a reliable and widespread charging network throughout Germany.
The Porta Group encompasses 30 Porta furniture stores, approximately 100 branches of the furnishing discounter SB-Möbel BOSS in Germany, as well as Möbel Letz, a furniture retailer based in Saxony-Anhalt. Furthermore, the group includes 22 furniture stores operated by the ASKO Group in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This expansive network positions the Porta Group as an ideal partner for Allego in their mission to provide accessible and convenient charging solutions across multiple regions.
With Allego’s expertise and Porta Group’s extensive reach in the furniture retail industry, this collaboration is set to drive the growth of EV charging infrastructure, further solidifying Germany’s commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in supporting the transition to a greener and more environmentally friendly future.
