ChargeBox
ChargeBox is a UK-based provider of out-of-home mobile device charging solutions, founded in 2005. It designs and operates secure locker and stay-and-charge stations as a managed Charging-as-a-Service platform serving airports, retail, healthcare, education, and events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ChargeBox does
ChargeBox is a UK-based provider of out-of-home mobile device charging solutions, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Chiswick, London. The company designs, manufactures, and operates a portfolio of secure locker stations (FAST6, FAST3 Mini, Footlocker, Qube) and stay-and-charge podiums (BossBar), all unified by the FastHub™ real-time power-management sub-system and the ChargeBot Manager monitoring platform. Its solutions deliver USB Power Delivery fast charging up to 60W and Qi2 wireless charging, with patented Smart Lock hardware for secure device storage and reinforced cables rated for 4,000+ uses. The company serves enterprise customers in airports and travel infrastructure (Heathrow, Dublin Airport, Paris Aeroport, Frankfurt Airport), retail (John Lewis, Hammerson, British Land, Landsec, Bluewater, Porsche), healthcare (NHS Birmingham Children's Hospital, Surrey and Borders Partnership), education (King's College London), and events and entertainment (Wimbledon, Merlin, Farnborough Airshow, Formula E, Gartner).
ChargeBox operates a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) business model, selling hardware on multi-year purchase contracts bundled with annual servicing, while also offering short-term rental/hire for events. Approximately 95% of locations are free-to-use, monetized indirectly through increased customer dwell time and spend (e.g., John Lewis research showed £35/€40/$45 higher spend from ChargeBox users), with the remaining 5% operating as pay-to-use via contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and chip & pin. The company distributes primarily through direct enterprise field sales, supported by an international partner network for geographic expansion. As of the latest data, ChargeBox reports 4,198 active installations across 1,023 customers in 37 countries, with 80+ million device charges delivered since inception. The company is privately held, appears to be founder-led (Ian Hobson, Co-founder, CEO & Managing Director), and bootstrapped, with no institutional investors or acquisitions disclosed. Recent strategic priorities include expansion in airport accounts, integration of Qi2 and high-wattage USB PD, and a NetZero 2030 sustainability commitment.
ChargeBox firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ChargeBox
- Legal name
- ChargeBox Ltd
- Website
- https://chargebox.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ChargeBox is a UK-based provider of out-of-home mobile device charging solutions, founded in 2005. It designs and operates secure locker and stay-and-charge stations as a managed Charging-as-a-Service platform serving airports, retail, healthcare, education, and events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ChargeBox industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Mobile Device Charging Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593)
- SIC
- Electric Housewares & Fans (3634)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charging Docks, Stations & Multi-Port Hubs (CRACATAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Charging Infrastructure Components (connectors, cables, dispensers, payment/controls) (IMAGAHAH)
Keywords
Where ChargeBox is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ChargeBox business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Charging Hardware Sales: Sale of charging stations (FAST6, FAST3 Mini lockers, BossBar, Footlocker, FastHub) on a purchase basis with 3-5 year annual servicing contracts
- Equipment Rental/Hire: Rental options available for clients with operating budgets, particularly popular for events. Both lock-and-leave and stay-and-charge units available for short-term hire
- Pay-to-Use Charging Service: Secure Lock & Charge solutions offered as pay-to-use service via contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, chip & pin. Usage is approximately 5% of free-to-use volume. Typically used in hospitals, casinos, and theme parks
- Free-to-Use Charging Service: Over 95% of locations operate free-to-use model, generating value through increased customer dwell time, footfall, and spend rather than direct revenue. John Lewis research showed £35/€40/$45 higher spend from ChargeBox users
- Managed Services & Aftercare: Ongoing aftercare and maintenance packages with remote monitoring, fault detection, and support. Real-time data enables smart scaling, strategic placement, and monetization through advertising screens
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Purchase + Annual Servicing |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment Rental/Hire |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-to-Use Lock & Charge |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-Use (Primary Model) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
ChargeBox product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ChargeBox designs, manufactures, and operates secure out-of-home mobile device charging stations (lock-and-leave lockers and stay-and-charge podiums) for public spaces. Solutions are sold or rented to enterprise customers across airports, retail, healthcare, education, and events, with built-in USB Power Delivery fast charging, Qi2 wireless charging, patented Smart Lock security, and the FastHub real-time power management system providing remote monitoring, fault detection, and usage analytics.
Product overview
ChargeBox is a UK-designed and manufactured provider of out-of-home mobile device charging solutions, founded in 2005. Its product portfolio is built around two core hardware form factors — secure 'Lock & Charge' locker stations (FAST6, FAST3 Mini, Footlocker, Qube) and 'Stay & Charge' podiums (BossBar) — all unified by the FastHub™ real-time power-management sub-system that provides remote monitoring, automated fault detection, and usage analytics across the estate. The company delivers its offering as a managed Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model, available on purchase or rental contracts with annual servicing, across sectors including airports, retail, healthcare, education, events, and corporate/public sector. All current solutions feature USB Power Delivery fast charging (up to 60W via USB-C) and Qi2 wireless charging, with both free-to-use and pay-to-use (contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, chip & pin) service options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FastHub: Real-time power-management system included in every ChargeBox solution, providing safer, more reliable and faster public device charging.
- FAST6
- FAST3 Mini
- ChargeBot Manager
Products and services
- FAST6 A 6-locker secure 'Lock & Charge' station delivering USB Power Delivery fast charging up to 60W per cable, with built-in reinforced USB-C and Apple Lightning cables, Qi2 wireless charging pads, and USB-A sockets. Sold or rented to enterprise venues such as airports, retailers, hospitals, and events.
- FAST3 Mini Locker A compact secure locker station offering the same fast charging capabilities as FAST6 in a smaller footprint, available in both free-to-use and pay-to-use configurations for enterprise customers.
- BossBar A 'Stay & Charge' solution designed for retail environments, allowing customers to charge devices via secured cables while continuing to use them at the station.
- Footlocker A secure 'Lock & Charge' locker unit enabling users to lock away devices for unattended charging, suitable for events and high-traffic venues.
- Qube A compact secure locker charging station designed for event environments, providing delegates and attendees with a self-service device charging experience.
- ChargeBox Gen 3 ChargeBox's third-generation charging station featuring improved design, ultra-robust reinforced cables lasting over 4,000 uses (10x standard cables), and enhanced electronic components with reduced embedded carbon.
- Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) ChargeBox's managed service model combining IoT-enabled hardware (with FastHub and ChargeBot Manager) with real-time analytics, automatic fault detection, and ongoing maintenance, offered on purchase or rental contracts with annual servicing to enterprise customers.
- Event Charging Hire/Rental Short-term equipment rental/hire of ChargeBox charging stations (lock-and-leave and stay-and-charge units) for events, conferences, festivals, and temporary deployments, including on-site delivery and collection.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99%+ service availability achieved (previously below 70%) at Dublin Airport
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use ChargeBox
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ChargeBox technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ChargeBox partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Heathrow AirportflagshipSix iconic charging poles in Terminal 2 upgraded with ChargeBox Fast Charge technology. Partnership led by Heathrow's Innovation Team. Six-month trial to gather insights on charging demand and inform future infrastructure investments.
- Dublin AirportcoreTrial 3-unit deployment expanded to 41 units across 3 terminals with 656 charging points serving ~20 million passengers annually. Service availability improved from below 70% to 99%+.
- Frankfurt AirportcoreAnnounced as charging partner unveiling next generation charging solution. One of Europe's major international airports.
- Paris AeroportcoreDeploying ChargeBox charging solutions at Paris airports. Quote from Juliette Leglaive praising simplicity and smart lock system.
- John Lewis Partnershipcore10-year partnership providing free phone charging in John Lewis shops. Joint research showed £35/€40/$45 higher spend from ChargeBox users. Strong customer feedback on enhanced experience.
- HammersoncoreChargeBox units deployed in all Hammerson shopping centres in UK and France as part of strategy to drive dwell time and spend.
- Bluewater (Landsec)coreFirst shopping centre in Europe to offer ChargeBox Fast Charge technology. Partnership with Landsec to provide free fast mobile device charging for shoppers.
- PorschecoreCharging solutions installed in 3 Porsche dealerships to enhance customer touchpoints, particularly in configurator rooms where customers select options.
- Wimbledonflagship9th year partnership providing charging at the tennis tournament. HSBC created customer booths with free device charging. Usage up 33% year-over-year.
- Formula EcoreRecharge zone at Allianz E-Village at Excel London event with 8 ChargeBox Fast units provided by sponsor Enel X Way.
- Farnborough AirshowcoreMulti-year partnership providing charging at airshow. Sponsoring partner Lockheed Martin supported the service.
- BetterFutures+ ProgrammeminorChargeBox was part of first cohort of businesses to complete the BetterFutures+ programme developed by Imperial College Business School with backing from Mayor of London, focusing on sustainability and carbon reduction.
- HSBCminorSponsor at Wimbledon creating customer booths with free device charging to entice spectators.
- Enel X WayminorSponsor at Formula E creating charging zone with ChargeBox Fast units at Allianz E-Village.
- NHScoreChargeBox deployed at NHS Birmingham Children's Hospital A&E and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for patients, families, and visitors.
- King's College LondoncoreOn-campus charging facilities for students with excellent telemetry and high usage, avoiding expensive installation of power outlets in listed buildings.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ChargeBox competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KwikBoost (Veloxity): KwikBoost is the most directly comparable US-headquartered operator of public device-charging stations (lockers and stay-and-charge units) sold to universities, airports, and retailers on a service-led model — the same Charging-as-a-Service positioning ChargeBox uses in Europe.
- Brightbox: Brightbox markets secure mobile-device charging lockers for venues, with similar features (lockers, branding, analytics) targeting hospitality, retail, and event venues — directly comparable to ChargeBox's Lock & Charge line including FAST6 and Footlocker.
- ChargeSPOT (INFORICH): ChargeSPOT operates one of the world's largest shared mobile-battery locker networks across Japan and Asia, competing for the same airport, mall, and transit use-cases that ChargeBox targets with its FAST6 and FAST3 Mini lockers.
- GoCharge: GoCharge provides phone-charging stations and kiosks for events, venues, and retail, mirroring ChargeBox's product categories (charging kiosks/lockers/podiums) sold through enterprise and event channels.
- Aircharge: Aircharge deploys wireless (Qi) charging infrastructure into public venues, hotels, and offices — directly competing with ChargeBox's Qi2 wireless offering and serving overlapping enterprise buyer personas across venues and hospitality.
Emerging players
- Powermat: Powermat licenses and deploys wireless charging surfaces for automotive, venues, and OEMs, representing an alternative technology pathway to ChargeBox's Qi2 wireless offering and a potential adjacent competitor in venue deployments.
- ConvenientPower / WiTricity: WiTricity (acquired ConvenientPower's wireless IP-relevant assets) builds wireless power infrastructure for automotive and public venues — emerging overlap with ChargeBox's public-space Qi wireless ambitions in higher-power contexts.
Broad incumbents
- Belkin: Belkin is a major consumer charging-accessory brand (power banks, GaN chargers, wireless pads) sold through retail — adjacent competitor in destination retail venues where ChargeBox once had exclusive John Lewis and Bluewater placements.
- Anker Innovations: Anker is a global charging-accessory and power-bank giant whose mobile/desktop charging products compete for the same end-user charging occasions that ChargeBox addresses when users plug in at airports and venues.
Others
- ChargePoint (EV): ChargePoint operates a large networked EV-charging infrastructure platform — included as an adjacent thematically-related operator with overlapping venue-relationship strategies but a different product (vehicle vs. mobile-device charging).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ChargeBox social profiles
Digital presenceChargeBox financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ChargeBox leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ChargeBox funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ChargeBox M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ChargeBox
What does ChargeBox do?
ChargeBox designs, manufactures, and operates secure out-of-home mobile device charging stations (lock-and-leave lockers and stay-and-charge podiums) for public spaces. Solutions are sold or rented to enterprise customers across airports, retail, healthcare, education, and events, with built-in USB Power Delivery fast charging, Qi2 wireless charging, patented Smart Lock security, and the FastHub real-time power management system providing remote monitoring, fault detection, and usage analytics.
Is ChargeBox a public or private company?
ChargeBox is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ChargeBox founded?
ChargeBox was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ChargeBox based?
ChargeBox is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ChargeBox make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Charging Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rental/Hire, pay-to-Use Charging Service, free-to-Use Charging Service and managed Services & Aftercare.
Who are ChargeBox's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KwikBoost (Veloxity), Brightbox, ChargeSPOT (INFORICH), GoCharge and Aircharge. Emerging players are Powermat and ConvenientPower / WiTricity. Broad incumbents are Belkin and Anker Innovations. ChargePoint (EV) is listed as an others.
Does ChargeBox have an API?
No public API is recorded for ChargeBox.
What industry is ChargeBox in?
ChargeBox's product category is Public Mobile Device Charging Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACATAF, Charging Docks, Stations & Multi-Port Hubs, with a secondary code of IMAGAHAH, Charging Infrastructure Components (connectors, cables, dispensers, payment/controls). Its NAICS code is 33593 and its SIC code is 3634.