Inbalance Grid, the largest Baltic EV charging network operator and solution developer, has made its move into the Polish market through a strategic partnership with Stokrotka, a major supermarket chain boasting over 1,000 locations across the country. The company plans to install 276 charging points at Stokrotka’s shops throughout 2024 and 2025, with ambitions to expand further within Poland and beyond.
Inbalance Grid will deploy its proprietary smart charging stations in major Polish cities and smaller towns, making Stokrotka the most EV-friendly supermarket chain in the country. This move will also bolster Inbalance Grid’s presence as it expands into more markets within Central and Eastern Europe.
The design and documentation phases of the project have been finalized, and the actual deployment is set to begin soon. By the end of the year, approximately 60 Stokrotka shops will be integrated into Inbalance Grid’s network.
Stokrotka selected Inbalance Grid over other market players due to the company’s technological edge, including its expertise in IoT development and integrations. The company’s internationally and locally (UDT) certified hardware and software, designed in-house, offers a seamless user experience, a robust and scalable infrastructure, and swift project execution.
Instead of just installing regular charging hardware, Inbalance Grid will deploy its IoT solution in Poland, connecting building management systems (BMS), PVs, parking systems, and other devices. This approach mirrors Inbalance Grid’s strategy in the Baltic region, where its investment in retailer-owned locations has helped it become the largest charging point operator, trusted by major retailers and property managers.
All Stokrotka EV locations are designed with future growth in mind, equipped with the infrastructure to easily add new charging points as demand increases.
Simonas Stankus, CEO of Inbalance Grid, emphasizes that the partnership with Stokrotka serves as a real-world demonstration of the company’s groundbreaking R&D efforts in Poland. He expresses confidence in further growth opportunities within the country, as well as in other CEE markets such as Czechia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and more.
Stankus explains that European data indicates a growing trend towards EV charging at locations frequented by users, such as businesses and shopping centers. However, these locations often present challenges, such as limited electrical infrastructure. Inbalance Grid has tackled these challenges from the beginning with its flexible and future-proof design, along with smart IoT-based power balancing solutions that are easy to install and can adapt to future demand. This strategy has helped the company secure a top position in the Baltic states and enabled its expansion into other European markets.
Inbalance Grid advocates for a balanced approach to infrastructure expansion, striving for an equilibrium between AC and DC stations. Its Baltic customer base includes major supermarket chains, real estate developers, parking and mobility service operators, and a substantial presence in the public sector.
Earlier this year, Inbalance Grid announced a partnership with Orlen Baltics Retail, a gas station chain operating in Lithuania owned by Polish energy giant Orlen. Inbalance Grid has begun installing 174 fast EV charging points across the Lithuanian Orlen network, with a projected completion by the end of 2027. This project includes 15 charging parks for electric trucks and buses. Inbalance Grid has allocated up to 10 million euros to this deal.
Inbalance Grid is backed by venture capital funds including Contrarian Ventures, Coinvest Capital, Orion Ventures, EIT Urban Mobility, private equity funds Equite and I Asset Management, along with private investors and business angels. The company’s headquarters are located in Vilnius, Lithuania.
