Investigation into the supply of electric vehicle chargepoints on or near motorways
The CMA has accepted commitments offered by Gridserve Holdings Limited, MOTO Hospitality Limited and MOTO Holdings Limited, Roadchef Limited and Extra MSA Property (UK) Limited and a number of its subsidiaries, that address the CMA’s competition concerns resulting from long-term exclusive arrangements for the supply of electric vehicle chargepoints on or near motorways under Chapter I and II of the Competition Act 1998.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 8 March 2022 | CMA commitments decision published and case closure |
| 17 November to March 2022 | CMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation |
| 17 November to 2 December 2021 | Commitments consultation period |
| 22 July 2021 to February 2022 | Initial investigation: information gathering, including issuing formal or informal information requests and receipt of parties’ responses. CMA analysis and review of information gathered |
| 22 July 2021 | Investigation opened |
Decision to accept binding commitments
On 8 March 2022 the CMA published its decision to accept commitments from Gridserve Holdings Limited, MOTO Hospitality Limited and MOTO Holdings Limited, Roadchef Limited and Extra MSA Property (UK) Limited and a number of its subsidiaries, in relation to the CMA’s competition concerns in the context of its investigation under Chapter I and II of the Competition Act 1998.
Formal acceptance of commitments by the CMA has brought the investigation to an end, with no decision being made as to whether the Competition Act 1998 has been infringed.
The CMA has published an open letter to electric vehicle chargepoint operators and motorway service area operators following this investigation.
- (8.3.22)
- CMA open letter to motorway service area operators and electric vehicle chargepoint operators (8.3.22)
- Press notice: CMA unlocks electric vehicle charging competition for motorway drivers (8.3.22)
Consultation on commitments
17 November 2021: The CMA invites views on commitments, offered by Gridserve Holdings Limited, MOTO Holdings Limited, Roadchef Limited and Extra MSA Property (UK) Limited, to address the CMA’s competition concerns in the context of its investigation under Chapter I and II of the Competition Act 1998.
On 17 November 2021, the CMA published a notice of intention to accept the commitments offered by the parties listed above and has invited representations from interested third parties. The CMA will consider any representations made in response to the consultation before making a final decision.
- Consultation on proposed commitments in respect of long-term exclusive arrangements for the supply of electric vehicle chargepoints on or near motorways
- Press notice: CMA to open up electric vehicle charging competition on motorways
Launch of CMA investigation
On 22 July 2021, the CMA launched an investigation into suspected breaches of competition law in respect of the supply of electric vehicle chargepoints on or near motorways.
The investigation relates to long-term exclusive arrangements entered into by The Electric Highway Company Limited (recently acquired by Gridserve EH Ltd) and Ecotricity Group Limited, and specifically each of the following three motorway service area operators: Moto Hospitality Limited, Roadchef Limited and Extra MSA Holdings (UK) Limited.
The investigation is under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998. The Electric Highway Company Limited and Ecotricity Group Limited are also under investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 in respect of such long-term exclusive arrangements.
The CMA and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) have concurrent functions to enforce competition law infringements in the energy sector. It has been agreed (pursuant to regulation 4 of the Competition Act 1998 (Concurrency) Regulations 2014) that the CMA will exercise those functions in relation to this investigation.
Notes
- The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to the party / parties under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections
- The CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has in fact been infringed
- Further details of the CMA’s procedures in Antitrust cases are available in our guidance
- Changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made if the estimated timing changes
Personal data
The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
You can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the CMA’s Personal Information Charter.
Contacts
Media
Any media enquiries should be directed to a member of our Press Office.
Assistant Director
Maria Rican-Sevitz (020 3738 6859, Maria.Rican-Sevitz@cma.gov.uk)
Project Director
Christiane Williams (020 3738 6250, Christiane.Williams@cma.gov.uk)
Senior Responsible Officer
Ann Pope (020 3738 6786, Ann.Pope@cma.gov.uk)
Related content
For further information, visit the CMA’s Electric vehicle charging market study page.
Last updated 8 March 2022 + show all updates
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Decision to accept binding commitments published.
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Consultation on commitments announcement published.
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First published.