TotalEnergies (TTE) announced Wednesday that it's joining forces with Tikehau Capital to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure across urban Belgium and the Netherlands. The partnership combines TotalEnergies' operational expertise with Tikehau's investment muscle to help cities make the shift to electric mobility.

Here's how it works: The two companies will co-own a platform that takes on public charging projects already underway in major Belgian and Dutch cities, while also competing for new municipal contracts to expand urban EV charging networks. TotalEnergies brings its technical know-how to develop, operate, and maintain the stations, all powered by certified renewable energy. Tikehau Capital provides the investment capital and risk-sharing that makes the business model more sustainable.

TotalEnergies isn't exactly starting from scratch here. The company already operates more than 9,500 charge points in Belgium, where it's the market leader, and another 18,000 in the Netherlands, putting it among the top providers in both countries. This partnership essentially doubles down on an already strong position in the Benelux region.

Emmanuel Laillier, Chief Investment Officer of Private Equity at Tikehau Capital, framed the deal as part of a broader investment thesis. "Partnering with TotalEnergies to develop the public charging networks in Belgium and the Netherlands fully reflects our policy of investing in infrastructure that drives the energy transition forward. The joint platform will facilitate access to efficient, sustainable charging solutions, helping take carbon out of the transport sector," he said.

What Else TotalEnergies Has Been Up To

The EV charging partnership is just one piece of a busy few months for TotalEnergies. Back in February, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kuwait Oil Company to share expertise and conduct technical studies. More recently, TotalEnergies and Paula Amorim, Chairman of Galp, announced that TotalEnergies would take over as operator of Petroleum Exploration License 83 in Namibia's Orange Basin.

The company also restarted activities on the Mozambique LNG project, which is 40% complete. First LNG from that project is expected in 2029, with most of the engineering and main equipment procurement already wrapped up during the Force Majeure period.

TotalEnergies is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on February 11.

Price Action: TTE shares were trading lower by 0.55% at $73.91 in premarket action Wednesday.