MILAN (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler and Engie EPS, a division of French utility Engie that focuses on energy storage systems and microgrids, plan to set up a joint venture to take full advantage of an expected boom in electric mobility.
The carmaker's Italian division and Engie EPS, which is also based in Italy, have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at setting up the joint venture in the first quarter of 2021, the two companies said on Thursday.
Shares in Engie EPS, which is being advised by Lazard on the deal, were trading 16.7% up in Paris at 1625 GMT.
Fiat Chrysler (FCA) Chief Operating Officer for the EMEA region, Pietro Gorlier, said that about 15 million electrified vehicles - full electric and hybrids - were expected in Europe in 2025, about 25% of the region's total vehicles.
"The market for services for electrified mobility will grow explosively in the coming years," he said.
The new venture, in which FCA will retain a slight majority, will offer a full range of products and solutions, including residential, business and public charging infrastructure as well as green energy packages for electric vehicle customers across Europe.
Engie EPS Chief Executive Carlalberto Guglielminotti said that consumers will spend at least 5.5 billion euros ($6.5 billion) a year to recharge electrified vehicles in 2025.
"Demand is not going to be a problem," he said.
FCA, which is in the midst of a $38 billion merger with French group PSA to create the world's fourth-largest carmaker, launched the electric 500 small car and several Fiat, Jeep and Maserati hybrid models this year in an effort to catch up with rivals in the race for green mobility.
In its 2018-2022 plan, FCA pledged to invest 9 billion euros in electrification out of total investment of 45 billion euros, and launch about 30 electrified models, either fully electric or hybrid.
The Italian-American carmaker last year signed an agreement with Engie and Italian utility Enel (MI:ENEI) to help to offer customers charging points for its electric vehicles (EV).
"The envisioned joint venture would allow an even higher commitment from both parties to expand the scope of the existing cooperation and further develop innovative products and services to enable and support a smooth shift to electric mobility in Europe," FCA Chief Executive Mike Manley said in a statement.
Final deals are expected to be signed this year.
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