CMS advises volenergy AG on planned acquisition of bp’s Austrian Mobility & Convenience business
CMS is providing comprehensive legal advice to volenergy AG on the planned acquisition of bp’s Austrian mobility and convenience business. The transaction comprises a nationwide network of around 250 petrol stations operating under the bp brand, electric vehicle charging infrastructure including development projects, bp’s Austrian fleet business, and stakes in selected infrastructure joint ventures, including the Linz fuel storage facility.
With this planned acquisition, volenergy AG, a Volare Group company, is continuing its growth trajectory and strengthening its position as a leading provider of energy and mobility solutions in German-speaking countries. For bp, the transaction forms part of the strategic development of its downstream business and its consistent focus on selected markets and business areas.
CMS is supporting the company throughout all phases of the transaction and is advising, in particular, on the structuring of the acquisition, regulatory issues and approval procedures, as well as on the drafting and implementation the transaction documentation. The transaction underscores the growing importance of integrated mobility and energy solutions and exemplifies the ongoing convergence of traditional fuel infrastructure with electric mobility, charging infrastructure and new mobility offerings.
“This transaction brings together key future-oriented themes in the energy sector: the transformation of existing infrastructure, the further development of sustainable mobility solutions and the successful execution of complex portfolio transactions. We are delighted to have supported volenergy AG in this strategically significant step and to have once again demonstrated our expertise at the interface of energy, infrastructure and M&A,” says Clemens Grossmayer, Partner at CMS Austria.
Legal advice to volenergy AG was provided by an international CMS team led by Clemens Grossmayer (Partner, Corporate/M&A, CMS Vienna), Christoph Birner (Solicitor, Corporate/M&A, CMS Vienna) and Dr Daniel Jenny (Relationship Partner, Corporate/M&A, CMS Zurich). The seller, bp, was advised by Dentons UK; bpv Hügel acted as legal adviser in Austria.
Completion of the transaction is still subject to the necessary regulatory approvals, in particular competition law clearances.
CMS Austria team:
- Yara Al-Harbi (Associate, Corporate / M&A)
- Thomas Aspalter (Solicitor, Tax)
- Christoph Birner (Solicitor, Corporate / M&A)
- Daniel Grimmer (Solicitor, Corporate / M&A)
- Clemens Grossmayer (Partner, Corporate / M&A)
- Rebecca Herlitz (Associate, Corporate / M&A)
- Daniela Krömer (Partner, Employment)
- Julia Ratz (Associate, Antitrust, Competition & Trade)
- Alexander Sommergruber (Associate, Antitrust, Competition & Trade)
- Dieter Zandler (Partner, Antitrust, Competition & Trade)
CMS Switzerland team:
- Daniel Jenny (Partner, Corporate / M&A)
- Florian Jung (Solicitor, Corporate / M&A)
CMS UK
- Kirsty Duane (Partner, Corporate / M&A; Infrastructure & Projects)
About volenergy AG:
volenergy is part of Volare Group AG, headquartered in Suhr, Switzerland, and is one of Switzerland’s leading providers of liquid energy solutions. The company offers a wide range of energy solutions, including heating oil, fuels, mobility services and fuel cards, as well as convenience stores and car washes. Going forward, volenergy will continue to expand its portfolio of alternative fuels to help reduce CO₂ emissions. With more than 730 sites, volenergy operates the largest network of petrol stations in Switzerland. These include petrol stations under the discount brands Ruedi Rüssel and Miniprix, as well as around 300 sites offering a premium range under the bp brand. volenergy acquired bp’s Swiss petrol station network in 2022.
