Annual and transition report of foreign private issuers pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Significant accounting policies (Policies)

v3.22.1
Significant accounting policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Text Block [Abstract]  
Basis of preparation
2.1. Basis of preparation
2.1.1. Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
The consolidated financial statements were prepared by the Executive Board and were authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Executive Board on May
1
3
, 2022.
2.1.2. Basis of measurement
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, unless otherwise stated. All amounts disclosed in the consolidated financial statements are presented in thousands of euros (€), unless otherwise indicated.
Statement of compliance
2.1.1. Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
The consolidated financial statements were prepared by the Executive Board and were authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Executive Board on May
1
3
, 2022.
Basis of measurement
2.1.2. Basis of measurement
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, unless otherwise stated. All amounts disclosed in the consolidated financial statements are presented in thousands of euros (€), unless otherwise indicated.
Going concern assumption and financial position
2.2. Going concern assumption and financial position
The Group’s scale of operations
The Group’s strategy requires significant capital expenditures, as well as investments in building the Group’s organization aimed at increasing the scale of its operations.
Start-up
losses are inherently associated with the business as charging points need to become known to users. As a result, the Group incurred losses during the first years of its operations and expects to continue to incur losses in the next twelve to eighteen months. Therefore, the Group relies heavily on financing from its existing shareholder and banks to finance its operations and
scale-up
of the business. Further envisioned growth — in line with the Group’s strategy — will require additional significant investments.
Financial position of the Group
As at December 31, 2021, the losses incurred during the first years of its operations resulted in a negative equity of €76,652 thousand (December 31, 2020: negative €73,744 thousand) and cash and cash equivalents of €24,652 thousand (December 31, 2020: €8,274 thousand). The resulting deficits have been funded by borrowings from the Company’s shareholder and banks. In the consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 2021, the carrying value of the Group’s borrowings amounts to €213,128 thousand (December 31, 2020: €159,610 thousand).
Impact of
COVID-19
The results for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been impacted by
COVID-19.
During the first quarter of 2021, traffic by
EV-drivers
and consumed energy levels declined as a result of
COVID-19
lockdown measures imposed by governments throughout Europe. As
COVID-19
lockdown measures eased, traffic by
EV-drivers
and consumed energy levels increased. The impact on the Group’s charging revenues correlate with these trends. Charging revenue recovered throughout the remainder of the first half-year of 2021, which continued in the second half-year of 2021. The impact of
COVID-19
on the Group’s charging revenue in the second half-year have been limited.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Group did not receive
COVID-19
related government support or any
COVID-19
related rent concessions.
Financing
On May 27, 2019, the Group entered into a senior debt bank facility (“the facility”), totaling €120 million, with Société Générale and KommunalKredit (“the lenders”). During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Group completed three drawdowns on the facility for a total amount of €44,315 thousand. As a result of these drawdowns, the Group has utilized the maximum amount of credit as allowed under the facility as of December 2, 2021. The facility, which will expire in May 2026, includes loan covenants based on increasing performance criteria related to EBITDA, revenue and interest expenses determined in accordance with Dutch GAAP. As the Group recently transitioned to IFRS, the loan covenants may be revisited with the lenders as per the facility agreement. For all reporting periods presented, the Group met its covenants that were determined in accordance with Dutch GAAP. The Group expects to continue to meet the increasing performance criteria outlined in the prevailing loan covenants.
In addition, the Company’s shareholder has issued loans to the Group. The principal and accrued interest of the shareholder loans will mature in 2035. The Group continues to seek additional funding solutions to accelerate future growth and expansion.
Refer to Note 24 for information on the terms and conditions of the senior debt bank facility and the shareholder loans and Note 31 for information on loan covenants related to the senior debt bank facility.
Liquidity forecasts
Management prepares detailed liquidity forecasts and monitors cash and liquidity forecasts on a continuous basis. The liquidity forecast incorporates current cash levels, revenue projections and detailed capital expenditures and operating expenses budget. Cash flows are monitored closely, and the Group invests in new stations, chargers and grid connections only if the Group has secured financing for such investments. These forecasts reflect potential scenarios and management plans and are dependent on securing significant contracts and related revenues. The liquidity forecasts incorporate any (new) potential impact from the
COVID-19
outbreak and are regularly updated, given the rapidly evolving nature and uncertain broader consequences of the pandemic.
The Group requires additional financing for additional development activities and operations. Management plan
ned
 to finance these investments and costs with the drawdowns on its senior debt facility that were completed during the second half-year of 2021, and with the proceeds from the US public listing through a merger between the Company and Spartan — a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (“SPAC”) — that was completed in the first quarter of 2022.
On July 28, 2021, the Company and Spartan signed a BCA. On March 16, 2022, the Company consummated the previously announced business combination pursuant to the BCA and became a publicly traded company on the NYSE through the incorporation of Allego N.V. As a result of the merger, the Group received
€146 million ($161 million
1
) of gross proceeds
2
. Refer to Note 35 for more details on the Transaction. As of March 31, 2022, the
Group
had cash and cash equivalents of €75,105 thousand.
The Group completed the SPAC transaction on March 16, 2022. The completion of the merger yielded in proceeds of €146 million, which is less than the originally expected proceeds of €635 million ($702
million
1
). Allego N.V. confirmed to assist Allego Holding in meetings its liabilities as and when they fall due, but only to the extent that money is not otherwise available to the Company to meet such liabilities. Allego N.V. confirmed to have the ability to provide such support and to provide this support, to the extent outlined above, for a period of at least twelve months from the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements. Given this cash position, the Group has sufficient funds to run the business for the twelve months from the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements assuming a minimal level of investments such as limited capital expenditures in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Therefore, the Group does not depend on external financing in the short-term. Consequently, there is no longer a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern and therefore whether the Group will realize its assets and settle its liabilities in the ordinary course of business at the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
As the Group’s plan to raise capital via the completion of the merger yielded less proceeds than originally expected and the Group will be required to seek additional financing to continue to execute its growth strategy and business plan in the long-term. The Group may not be able to raise such financing on acceptable terms, or at all. The timing and realization of such financing is inherently uncertain. As a result, the timing and realization of such financing may impact the Group’s ability to execute its growth strategy and business plan in the long-term, but does not cast material uncertainty on the Group’s ability to be a going concern and continue its operations for the twelve months from the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.
Therefore, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Group operates on a going concern basis.
 
1
 
Translated at the EUR/USD exchange rate as at March 17, 2022.
2
 
Gross proceeds: not inclusive of transaction expenses.
 
Basis of consolidation
2.3.
Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the Group has:
 
   
power over the investee (i.e., existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee);
 
   
exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee;
 
   
the ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns.
Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights results in control. To support this presumption and when the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:
 
   
the contractual arrangement(s) with the other vote holders of the investee;
 
   
rights arising from other contractual arrangements;
 
   
the Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights.
The Group
re-assesses
whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the equity holders of the Company and to the
non-controlling
interests, even if this results in the
non-controlling
interests having a deficit balance.
Non-controlling
interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of financial position respectively.
Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset.
The Group treats transactions with
non-controlling
interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Group. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and
non-controlling
interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to
non-controlling
interests and any consideration paid or received is recognized in equity and attributed to the equity holders of the Company.
If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the related assets (including goodwill), liabilities and
non-controlling
interest, while any resultant gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. Amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss. Any retained interest in the entity is remeasured to its fair value, with the change in the carrying amount recognized in profit or loss. This fair value becomes the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset.
Principles for the consolidated statement of cash flows
2.4. Principles for the consolidated statement of cash flows
The consolidated statement of cash flows is prepared based on the indirect method. The consolidated statement of cash flows distinguishes between cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities. The cash items disclosed in the statement of cash flows comprise cash at bank, cash in hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions and other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and bank overdrafts when they are considered an integral part of the Group’s cash management.
Cash flows denominated in foreign currencies have been translated at average exchange rates. Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents are shown separately in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The Group has chosen to present interest paid as cash flows from operating activities and interest received as cash flows from investing activities.
The Group has classified the principal portion of lease payments within cash flows from financing activities and the interest portion within cash flows from operating activities. The Group has classified cash flows received from operating leases as cash flows from operating activities. Cash flows from the principal and interest of the finance lease receivables received are classified as cash flows from investing activities.
Foreign currency translation
2.5. Foreign currency translation
2.5.1. Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). The consolidated financial statements are presented in euros (€), which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency.
2.5.2. Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at
year-end
exchange rates, are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss. All foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, within finance costs.
Non-monetary
items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined. Translation differences on assets and liabilities carried at fair value are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.
2.5.3. Translation of foreign operations
The results and financial position of foreign operations that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency of the Group are translated into the presentation currency as follows. Assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that statement of financial position. Income and expenses for each statement of profit or loss and statement of comprehensive income are translated at average exchange rates, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during that period, in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are used. All resulting exchange differences are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and accumulated in a foreign currency translation reserve, as a separate component in equity (attributed to
non-controlling
interests as appropriate).
When a foreign operation is sold, the associated exchange differences are reclassified to the consolidated statement of profit or loss, as part of the gain or loss on sale.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the closing rate. Exchange differences arising are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.​​​​​​​
New and amended standards
2.6. New and amended standards
2.6.1. New and amended standards adopted by the group
The Group applied for the first time certain standards and amendments, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Other than for the standards and amendments set out in this section, the Group did not have to change its accounting policies or make retrospective adjustments as a result of amending these standards and amendments.
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2: Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16
In August 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 in relation to the Interest Rate Benchmark Reform. The amendments address issues that might affect financial reporting as a result of the reform of an interest rate benchmark, including the effects of changes to contractual cash flows arising from the replacement of an interest rate benchmark with an alternative requirement.
The senior debt bank facility of the Group uses the Euribor rate. The facility agreement includes stipulations that dictate the use of an alternative rate in the event the Euribor rate is replaced by another rate. Therefore, these amendments did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
2.6.2. New standards and interpretations not yet adopted
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group’s financial statements are disclosed below. The Group intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective.
Amendments to IFRS 16 –
COVID-19
Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, rent concessions have been granted to lessees. Such concessions might take a variety of forms, including payment holidays and deferral of lease payments. In May 2020, the IASB made an amendment to IFRS 16
Leases
which provides lessees with an option to treat qualifying rent concessions in the same way as they would if they were not lease modifications. In many cases, this will result in accounting for the concessions as variable lease payments in the period in which they are granted.
The amendment was intended to apply until June 30, 2021, but as the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic continued, on March 31, 2021, the IASB published
“Covid-19-Related
Rent Concessions beyond 30
 June 2021 (Amendment to IFRS 16)”
which extended the period of application of the practical expedient to June 30, 2022.The amendment applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2021. However, the Group has not received
Covid-19-related
rent concessions for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Group plans to apply the practical expedient if it becomes applicable within allowed period of application.
Amendments to IAS 16 – Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before intended use
The amendment to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment (“PP&E”) prohibits an entity from deducting from the cost of an item of PP&E any proceeds received from selling items produced while the entity is preparing the asset for its intended use. It also clarifies that an entity is “testing whether the asset is functioning properly” when it assesses the technical and physical performance of the asset. The financial performance of the asset is not relevant to this assessment. Entities must disclose separately the amounts of proceeds and costs relating to items produced that are not an output of the entity’s ordinary activities.
The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 and must be applied retrospectively to items of property, plant and equipment made available for use on or after the beginning of the earliest period presented when the entity first applies the amendment. The Group does not deduct any proceeds received from charging sessions when the Group is preparing its chargers for its intended use. Therefore, this amendment is not expected to have an impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
Amendments to IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as Current or
Non-current
The narrow-scope amendments to IAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements
clarify that liabilities are classified as either current or
non-current,
depending on the rights that exist at the end of the reporting period. Classification is unaffected by the expectations of the entity or events after the reporting date (e.g., the receipt of a waver or a breach of covenant). The amendments also clarify what IAS 1 means when it refers to the “settlement” of a liability.
The amendments could affect the classification of liabilities, particularly for entities that previously considered management’s intentions to determine classification and for some liabilities that can be converted into equity. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024 and must be applied retrospectively in accordance with the normal requirements in IAS 8
Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
. The Group has not yet considered the potential impact of the amendments to the standard on the Group’s consolidated financial statements, if any.
IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts
In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17
Insurance Contracts
(IFRS 17), a comprehensive new accounting standard for insurance contracts covering recognition and measurement, presentation and disclosure. Once effective, IFRS 17 will replace IFRS 4
Insurance Contracts
(IFRS 4) that was issued in 2005. IFRS 17 applies to all types of insurance contracts (i.e., life,
non-life,
direct insurance and
re-insurance),
regardless of the type of entities that issue them, as well as to certain guarantees and financial instruments with discretionary participation features. IFRS 17 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, with comparative figures required. Early application is permitted, provided the entity also applies IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 on or before the date it first applies IFRS 17. The Group is in the process of assessing the potential impact of the standard on the Group’s consolidated financial statements, if any.
AIP (2018-2020 cycle): IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – Fees in the “10 per cent” test for derecognition of financial liabilities
As part of its 2018
2020 annual improvements to the IFRS standards process, the IASB issued an amendment to IFRS 9
Financial Instruments.
The amendment clarifies the fees that an entity includes when assessing whether the terms of a new or modified financial liability are substantially different from the terms of the original financial liability. These fees include only those paid or received fees between the borrower and the lender, including fees paid or received by either the borrower or lender on the other’s behalf. An entity applies the amendment to financial liabilities that are modified or exchanged on or after the beginning of the annual reporting period in which the entity first applies the amendment.
The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 with earlier adoption permitted. The Group will apply the amendments to financial liabilities that are modified or exchanged on or after the beginning of the annual reporting period ending December 31, 2022. in which the entity first applies the amendment. The Group has not yet considered potential the impact of the amendments to the standard on the Group’s consolidated financial statements, if any.
Other new and amended standards and interpretations
The following new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, are not expected to have an impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements:
 
   
Amendments to IAS 37
Onerous Contracts: Cost of Fulfilling a Contract
 
   
Amendments to IFRS 3
Reference to the Conceptual Framework
 
   
AIP (2018
2020 cycle): IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
Subsidiary as a First-time Adopter
 
   
AIP (2018
2020 cycle): IAS 41 Agriculture
Taxation in Fair Value Measurements
 
   
Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes: Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction
 
   
Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2
Disclosure of Accounting policies
 
   
Amendments to IAS 8
Definition of Accounting Estimates
 
   
The Illustrative Examples accompanying IFRS 16, ‘Leases’
The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022, except for the amendments to IAS 12, IAS 1 and the IFRS Practice Statement 2 and IAS 8, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023.
Segment reporting
2.7.1. Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker (CODM), who is responsible for assessing the performance of the operating segments and allocating resources, has been identified as the Executive Board of the Group. The Executive Board consists of the chief executive officer (CEO), the chief financial officer (CFO), the chief operating officer (COO) and the chief technology officer (CTO).
Revenue recognition
2.7.2. Revenue recognition
The Group recognizes revenue from the following activities:
 
   
revenue from charging sessions;
 
   
revenue from the sale of charging equipment to customers;
 
   
revenue from installation services; and
 
   
revenue from the operation and maintenance of charging equipment owned by customers.
Charging sessions
Charging sessions reflect the revenues related to charging sessions mostly at charging equipment owned by the Group. The Group acts as a charge point operator in public spaces, at consumer’s homes and at company locations. The Group supplies electricity to owners and drivers of electric vehicles which use a charge card issued by a managed service provider (“MSP”) or a credit card to pay for these services. Charging revenue is recognized at the moment of charging, when the control of electricity is transferred to the customer. The Group is acting as a principal in charging transactions for charging equipment that is owned by the Group as it has the primary responsibility for these services and discretion in establishing the price of electricity.
The Group is considered an agent in charging transactions for charging equipment owned by third parties as the Group does not have control over electricity, the Group has to reimburse the electricity costs to EV drivers and because the charging services to homeowners and company locations are administrative in nature.
Sale of charging equipment
The Group enters into agreements with customers for the sale of charging equipment. These contracts are generally awarded based on a proposal and business case for a certain location including traffic and other activity predictions. If the proposal is awarded by the customer, the Group enters into an engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contract under which the Group purchases and installs charging equipment at the relevant location. The Group has determined that the sale and installation of the equipment constitute two distinct performance obligations since the integration of both performance obligations is limited, the installation is relatively straight forward and these installation services can be provided by other suppliers as well. These separate performance obligations are both sold on a stand-alone basis and are distinct within the context of the contract. When the contract includes multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the stand-alone selling prices. Where such stand-alone selling prices are not directly observable, these are estimated based on expected cost plus margin.
Revenue from the sale of charging equipment is recognized at a point in time when control of the charging equipment is transferred to the customer. Depending on the terms and conditions of the contract, this can be:
 
   
the moment when the customer has the legal title and the physical possession of the charging equipment once the delivery on premise takes place; or
 
   
the moment when the customer has not taken physical possession of the charging equipment and the delivery on premise has not taken place, but the customer has requested the Group to hold onto the charging equipment, and has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the charging equipment.
Installation services
Revenue from installation of charging equipment is recognized over time. The Group uses an input method in measuring progress of the installation services because there is a direct relationship between the Group’s effort and the transfer of service to the customer. The input method is based on the proportion of contract costs incurred for work performed to date in proportion to the total estimated costs for the services to be provided. Management considers that this input method is an appropriate measure of the progress towards complete satisfaction of these performance obligations under IFRS 15. In case the Group cannot reliably measure progress of the installation services, the Group only recognizes revenue to the level of costs incurred.
The Group also sells charging equipment and installation services separately. In that event the same revenue recognition principles are applied as those applied for a combined sale of charging equipment and installation services.
Operation and maintenance of charging equipment
Service revenue from operation and maintenance (“O&M”) services of charging equipment owned by customers is recognized over time. Services include the deployment of the Group’s cloud-based platform to collect, share and analyze charging data as well as the maintenance of the site. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis and consideration is payable when invoiced. The Group recognizes revenue only when the performance obligation is satisfied, therefore any upfront billing and payments are accounted for as an advance payment.
Part of the O&M fees are variable and based on certain performance indicators related to the charging equipment, such as utilization. The Group recognizes variable consideration when the O&M fees are invoiced to the customer.
The Group and a customer may enter into an EPC contract and an O&M contract at the same time. These contracts are not negotiated as a package and there are distinct commercial objectives and terms, the amount of consideration to be paid in one contract does not depend on the price or performance of the other contract and the goods or services promised in the contracts represent multiple performance obligations. Therefore, EPC and O&M contracts are treated as separate arrangements.
No significant element of financing is deemed present as the sales are made with a credit term of 30 days, which is consistent with market practice. The Group did not recognize an obligation to repair or warrant products or services as the Group does not provide any guarantee extension services.
Contract assets
Fees associated with the EPC contracts are fixed and payable upon the achievement of milestones. If the services rendered by the Group exceed the payment, a contract asset is recognized. Contract assets are subject to an impairment assessment. Refer to the accounting policies on impairment of financial assets in section 2.7.15
Financial instruments
.
Contract liabilities
A contract liability is recognized if a payment from the customer is received and it precedes the Group’s performance. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when the Group performs under the contract (i.e., transfers control of the related goods or services to the customer).
Cost of sales
2.7.3. Cost of sales
Cost of sales represents the electricity cost for the charging revenues which is billed to the Group by utility companies. Cost of sales related to EPC contracts consists of the cost of charging equipment and the third-party service cost for the installation services including the establishment of the grid connection. Cost of sales related to the O&M contracts mainly consists of the third-party service cost (such as costs incurred for monitoring the state of charging poles, cleaning of charging poles, data-related costs). These expenses are recognized in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.
Other income/(expenses)
2.7.4. Other income/(expenses)
The Group recognizes other income/(expenses) from the following sources:
 
   
sale of renewable energy units (“HBE certificates” or
hernieuwbare brandstofeenheden
);
 
   
government grants;
 
   
disposal of property, plant and equipment;
 
   
sublease rental income;
 
   
fair value gains/(losses) on derivatives (purchase options); and
 
   
other items.
HBE certificates are issued by the government and therefore IAS 20
Accounting for government grants and disclosure of government assistance
is applicable. HBE certificates are initially recognized at fair value as inventory (refer to the accounting policies on inventories in section 2.7.14
Inventories
). Other income from the sale of HBE certificates includes both the fair value gain on initial recognition and the gain or loss on the subsequent sale.
The accounting policy for the disposal of property, plant and equipment is disclosed in section 2.7.10
Property, plant and equipment
. The accounting policy for government grants is disclosed in section 2.7.5
Government grants
. The accounting policy for sublease rental income is disclosed in section 2.7.12
Leases,
section
“Group as a lessor”
.
The accounting policy for the fair value gains and losses on the purchase options derivatives is disclosed in section 2.7.15
Financial instruments
.
Other items mainly relate to reimbursements from (energy) network operators with respect to the power grid connections used. At the end of the year, the Group is reimbursed based on usage of actual grid connections used.
Government grants
2.7.5. Government grants
Government grants are recognized where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and that the Group will comply with all attached conditions. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognized as income on a systematic basis over the periods that the related costs, which it is intended to compensate, are expensed. Income from government grants is recorded in the consolidated statement of profit or loss as other income.
When the grant relates to an asset, the carrying amount of the related asset is reduced with the amount of the grant. The grant is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss over the useful life of the depreciable asset by way of a reduced depreciation charge.
Grants relating to assets relate to the Group’s chargers and charging infrastructure. Refer to Note 14 for details.
General and administrative expenses
2.7.6. General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses relate to the Group’s support function and mainly comprise employee benefits, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, IT costs, housing and facility costs, travelling costs, fees incurred from third parties and other general and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss when incurred.
Selling and distribution expenses
2.7.7. Selling and distribution expenses
Selling and distribution expenses relate to the Group’s sales function and mainly comprise employee benefits, depreciation charges, marketing and communication costs, housing and facility costs, travelling costs and other selling and distribution expenses. Selling and distribution expenses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss when incurred.
Employee benefits
2.7.8. Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits include wages, salaries, social security contributions, annual leave, including paid
time-off,
accumulating sick leave and
non-monetary
benefits and are recognized as an expense as the related services are provided by the employee to the Group. Liabilities for short-term employee benefits that are expected to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period are recorded for the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
Pensions and other post-employment obligations
Pension plans
The Group operates various pension plans, including both defined benefit and defined contribution plans, for its employees in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden. To the employees
in France no Group pension plan applies, but a statutory
end-of-service
benefit applies. The plans are generally funded through payments to insurance companies or trustee-administered funds as determined by periodic actuarial calculations.
Defined benefit plans
The liability or asset recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method.
The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms approximating to the terms of the related obligation. In countries where there is no deep market in such bonds, the market rates on government bonds are used.
The net interest cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net balance of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. This cost is included in employee benefit expenses in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in the period in which they occur, directly in other comprehensive income. They are included in retained earnings in the consolidated statement of changes in equity and in the consolidated statement of financial position.
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from plan amendments or curtailments are recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of profit or loss as past service costs.
Defined contribution plans
For defined contribution plans, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit expenses when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.
Other long-term employee benefits
The Group operates a jubilee plan for certain employees in the Netherlands, for which the Group records a provision. The provision is measured as the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the end of the reporting period, using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service.
Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the end of the reporting period of high-quality corporate bonds with terms and currencies that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows. Interest cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the expected future payments. This cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, within finance costs.
Remeasurements as a result of experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Share-based payments
2.7.9. Share-based payments
A share-based payment arrangement is provided to an external consulting firm via a Special Fees Agreement. Information relating to this agreement between the Company’s immediate parent entity — Madeleine — and the consulting firm is set out in Note 10. The fair value of the share-based payment arrangement granted under the Special Fees Agreement is recognized as an expense, with a corresponding increase in retained earnings. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the share-based payment arrangement, including market performance conditions. The fair value excludes the impact of any service and
non-market
performance vesting conditions.
IFRS 2 requires the total expense to be recognized over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified service and
non-market
vesting conditions are to be satisfied. For the Special Fees Agreement the expenses are recognized over the service period (from the grant date until a liquidity event, refer to section 3.1.4). The Group shall revise its estimate of the length of the vesting period, if necessary, if subsequent information indicates that the length of the vesting period differs from previous estimates. This may result in the reversal of expenses if the estimated vesting period is extended.
Property, plant and equipment
2.7.10. Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are initially recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position at their cost. For property, plant and equipment acquired from third parties this is the acquisition cost, including costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. For internally constructed assets, cost comprises direct costs of materials, labor and other direct production costs attributable to the construction of the asset. Each item of property, plant and equipment is subsequently stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment, if any.
Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of any component accounted for as a separate asset is derecognized when replaced. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the consolidated statement of profit or loss during the reporting period in which they are incurred.
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the asset’s use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of the asset (determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is recorded in the consolidated statement of profit or loss when the asset is derecognized, within other income/(expenses). Occasionally, the Group sells its own chargers and/or charging equipment to a customer. In that case, the carrying value of the disposed assets are recorded within cost of sales. The proceeds of such transactions are recorded within revenue from the sale of charging equipment.
An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.
Depreciation methods and periods
The Group depreciates its property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method to allocate their cost, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their lease term and their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives used are as follows:
 
Asset class
  
Useful life
Chargers and charging infrastructure    7 – 10 years
Other fixed assets    3 – 10 years
Assets under construction    Not depreciated
 
Other fixed assets mainly comprise leasehold improvements and IT assets.
The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate.
Intangible assets
2.7.11. Intangible assets
The Group’s intangible assets consist of software. Software primarily comprises the Group’s internally developed EV Cloud platform and software purchased from third parties.
Internally developed software
Internally developed software comprises the Group’s internally developed EV Cloud platform. Its cost consists of the acquisition cost of software acquired from third parties and development costs that are directly attributable to the design and testing of the EV Cloud platform, which is controlled by the Group.
Development costs are capitalized as software if the following criteria are met:
 
   
It is technically feasible to complete the software so that it will be available for use.
 
   
Management intends to complete the software and use or sell it.
 
   
There is an ability to use or sell the software.
 
   
It can be demonstrated how the software will generate probable future economic benefits.
 
   
Adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the software are available.
 
   
The expenditure attributable to the software during its development can be reliably measured.
Directly attributable costs that are capitalized as part of the software include direct costs of labor and other direct production costs attributable to the development of the software.
Capitalized development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortized from the point at which the asset is ready for use. Research expenditure and development expenditure related to software that do not meet the criteria above are recognized as an expense as incurred. Development costs previously recognized as an expense are not recognized as an asset in a subsequent period.
Software purchased from third parties
Software purchased from third parties is measured on initial recognition at cost. Cost comprises the purchase price and directly attributable costs of preparing (i.e., tailoring) the software for its intended use by the Group. Following initial recognition, software purchased from third parties is carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Software purchased from third parties is amortized over its useful life or the duration of the license, as applicable.
An intangible asset is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the asset’s use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is recorded in the consolidated statement of profit or loss when the asset is derecognized.

Amortization methods and periods
The Group amortizes intangible assets with a finite useful life using the straight-line method to allocate their cost over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives used are as follows:
 
Asset class
  
Useful life
Software – Internally developed software    3 years
Software – Purchased from third parties    1 – 3 years
 
The useful lives and amortization methods are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate.
Leases
2.7.12. Leases
Group as a lessee
The Group leases office buildings, cars, software, and other assets. Other assets comprise office furniture and land permits. Rental contracts are typically agreed for fixed periods of several years. The contractual lease term of cars is set at four years, where extensions are unusual. Software relates to the right of use of a third-party supplier’s application software. The contractual lease term is set at five years with a
two-year
extension option. The contractual lease term of office buildings is typically set at five years but may have extension options as described below.
Contracts may contain both lease and
non-lease
components. The Group has elected not to separate lease and
non-lease
components for all identified asset classes and instead accounts for these as a single lease component.
Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are held by the lessor. Leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.
Determining the
right-of-use
asset and lease liability
Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:
 
   
fixed payments (including
in-substance
payments), less any lease incentives receivable;
 
   
variable lease payments that are based on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;
 
   
amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value guarantees;
 
   
the exercise price of a purchase option if it is reasonably certain that the Group will exercise that option; and
 
   
payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.
Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the lease liability.
The Group is exposed to potential future increases in variable lease payments based on an index or rate, which are not included in the lease liability until they take effect. When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or rate take effect, the lease liability is reassessed and adjusted against the
right-of-use
asset.
Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to the consolidated statement of profit or loss over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the lease liability for each period.
Right-of-use
assets are measured at cost comprising the following:
 
   
the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;
 
   
any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;
 
   
any initial direct costs, and
 
   
restoration costs.
Right-of-use
assets are generally depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. If the Group is reasonably certain that it will exercise a purchase option, the
right-of-use
asset is depreciated over the underlying asset’s useful life.
The
right-of-use
assets are also subject to impairment and are allocated to the cash-generating unit to which these assets relate. Refer to the accounting policy for impairment of
non-financial
assets, which is disclosed in section 2.7.13
Impairment of
non-financial
assets
.
Discount rate
The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be readily determined, which is generally the case for leases in the Group, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the
right-of-use
asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions. To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Group uses a
build-up
approach that starts with a risk-free interest rate adjusted for credit risk for leases held by the Group and makes adjustments specific to the lease (e.g., term, country, currency and security).
Leases of
low-value
assets and short-term leases
Low-value
assets comprise small items of office furniture. The Group has not applied the practical expedient to recognize leases of
low-value
assets on a straight-line basis as an expense in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of twelve months or less without a purchase option. The Group has short-term building and car leases. The Group has applied the practical expedient to recognize short-term building leases, but not for short-term car leases, on a straight-line basis as an expense in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Lease term
Extension and termination options are included in a number of office building, software, and car leases across the Group. These are used to maximize operational flexibility in terms of managing the assets used in the Group’s operations. The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor.
In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option, or not to exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease term if it is reasonably certain that the lease will be extended (or not terminated).
For leases of offices, the following factors are normally the most relevant:
 
   
If there are significant penalty payments to terminate (or not to extend), it is typically reasonably certain that the Group will extend (or not terminate).
 
   
If any leasehold improvements are expected to have a significant remaining value, it is typically reasonably certain that the Group will extend (or not terminate).
 
   
Otherwise, the Group considers other factors including historical lease durations and the costs and business disruption required to replace the leased asset.
For two office leases the extension options have been included in the lease liability, because not extending the leases would result in business disruption in the respective locations. For two other office leases the extension options have not been included in the lease liability, because the leases either have a significant remaining
non-cancellable
lease term or the Group is contemplating whether that office will be suitable for the Group’s operations.
The lease term is reassessed if an option is actually exercised (or not exercised) or the Group becomes obliged to exercise (or to not exercise) it. The assessment of reasonable certainty is only revised if a significant event or a significant change in circumstances occurs, which affects this assessment, and that is within the control of the lessee.
Group as a lessor
When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease commencement whether each lease is a finance lease or an operating lease. To classify each lease, the Group makes an overall assessment of whether the lease transfers to the lessee substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset. If this is the case, the lease is classified as a finance lease. If this is not the case, the lease is classified as an operating lease.
As part of this assessment, the Group considers certain indicators such as whether the lease is for the major part of the economic life of the asset and whether, at the inception date, the present value of the lease payments amounts to at least substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
If an arrangement contains lease and
non-lease
components, the Group applies IFRS 15
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
to allocate the consideration in the contract.
When the Group is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for its interests in the head-lease and the sublease separately. It assesses the lease classification of a sublease with reference to the
right-of-use
asset arising from the head-lease, not with reference to the underlying asset.
Operating subleases
The Group subleases some of its leased office buildings to third parties. The contractual term of subleases of office buildings is typically set at three years but is in no event longer than the lease term of the head-lease.
Subleases may have extension and/or termination options that are typically exercisable only by the lessee and not by the Group. All subleases of the Group’s leased office buildings are classified as operating subleases.
The Group recognizes lease payments received under operating leases as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term as part of “other income/(expenses)”.
Impairment of non-financial assets
2.7.13. Impairment of
non-financial
assets
The Group assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, the Group estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets (“cash-generating units”). An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss in expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a
pre-tax
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair value less costs of disposal, recent market transactions are taken into account. If no such transactions can be identified, an appropriate valuation model is used. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples or other available fair value indicators.
The Group bases its impairment calculation on most recent budgets and forecast calculations, which are prepared separately for each of the Group’s CGUs to which the individual assets are allocated. These budgets and forecast calculations generally cover a period of five years. A long-term growth rate is calculated and applied to project future cash flows after the fifth year.
An assessment is made at each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that previously recognized impairment losses no longer exist or have decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset’s or CGU’s recoverable amount. A previously recognized impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Inventories
2.7.14. Inventories
Finished products and goods for resale
Inventories of finished products and goods for resale are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Costs are assigned to individual items of inventory on the basis of weighted average costs. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after deducting rebates and discounts.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
HBE certificates
HBE certificates are initially measured at fair value, which is the initial cost of the certificates. Upon initial recognition of the certificates, the Group records a corresponding gain in other income/(expenses). HBE certificates are subsequently stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Costs are assigned on an individual basis.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
Financial instruments
2.7.15. Financial instruments
The Group recognizes a financial asset or financial liability in its consolidated statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.
Financial assets
Classification
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:
 
   
those to be measured subsequently at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”);
   
those to be measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”); and
 
   
those to be measured at amortized cost.
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group’s business model for managing them.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortized cost or FVOCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are “solely payments of principal and interest (“SPPI”)” on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level. Financial assets with cash flows that are not SPPI are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model.
The Group’s business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both. Financial assets classified and measured at amortized cost are held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows while financial assets classified and measured at FVOCI are held within a business model with the objective of both holding to collect contractual cash flows and selling.
The Group reclassifies debt investments when and only when its business model for managing those assets changes.
The Group does not have equity instruments that should be accounted in accordance with IFRS 9
Financial Instruments
.
Initial measurement
With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at FVPL, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL are expensed in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Trade receivables
Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. They are generally due for settlement within 30 days and are therefore all classified as current. Trade receivables are recognized initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional, unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognized at fair value.
Subsequent measurement
Financial assets at amortized cost
Financial assets at amortized cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (“EIR”) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss when the asset is derecognized, modified or impaired.
The Group’s financial assets at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other receivables and pledged bank balances included under current and
non-current
other financial assets.
Financial assets at FVOCI
For debt instruments at FVOCI, interest income, foreign exchange revaluation and impairment losses or reversals are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and computed in the same manner as for financial assets measured at amortized cost. The remaining fair value changes are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (“OCI”). Upon derecognition, the cumulative fair value change recognized in OCI is recycled to the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
The Group does not have debt instruments at FVOCI.
Financial assets at FVPL
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
This category includes purchase options derivatives which are included under current other financial assets and interest cap derivatives which are included under
non-current
other financial assets.
Impairment
The Group recognizes an allowance for expected credit losses (“ECLs”) for all debt instruments not held at FVPL. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.
Trade receivables and contract assets
The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring ECLs which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables and contract assets. To measure the ECLs, trade receivables and contract assets have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The contract assets relate to unbilled work in progress and have substantially the same risk characteristics as the trade receivables for the same types of contracts. The Group has therefore concluded that the expected loss rates for trade receivables are a reasonable approximation of the loss rates for the contract assets.
The Group considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 60 days past due. However, in certain cases, the Group may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Group. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows.
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.
Financial liabilities
Classification
The Group classifies its financial liabilities in the following measurement categories:
 
   
financial liabilities at FVPL; and
   
financial liabilities at amortized cost.
The Group’s financial liabilities include trade and other payables, borrowings including bank overdrafts, and derivative financial instruments.
Initial measurement
All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial liabilities are classified in two categories:
 
   
financial liabilities at FVPL; and
 
   
financial liabilities at amortized cost.
Financial liabilities at FVPL
Financial liabilities at FVPL include derivative financial instruments.
Financial liabilities at amortized cost
This is the category most relevant to the Group and consists of borrowings and trade and other payables.
Trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition. Trade and other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is not due within 12 months after the reporting period. They are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the EIR method.
Borrowings
After initial recognition, borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognized as well as through the EIR amortization process. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included as finance costs in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Fees paid on the establishment of borrowings and commitment fees paid on the unused part of the facility are recognized as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the draw-down occurs. To the extent there is no evidence that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalized as a prepayment for liquidity services and amortized over the period of the facility to which it relates.
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Derivatives
The Group uses a derivative financial instrument, an interest rate cap, to hedge its interest rate risks. Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into, and they are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The Group does not apply hedge accounting. Therefore, changes in the fair value of the Group’s derivative financial instrument are recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and are included in finance costs.
Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.
Offsetting of financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
Fair value measurement
2.7.16. Fair value measurement
The Group measures financial instruments such as derivatives at fair value at the end of each reporting period.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either in the principal market for the asset or liability, or, in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Group.
The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.
The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.
All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:
 
   
Level 1: Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
   
Level 2: Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable.
 
   
Level 3: Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.
For assets and liabilities that are recognized in the consolidated financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by
re-assessing
categorization (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.
Cash and cash equivalents
2.7.17. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, cash at banks, deposits held at call with financial institutions and other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position.
Equity
2.7.18. Equity
Share capital
The Company’s share capital consists of ordinary shares, which are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
Reserves
Reserves include the legal reserve for capitalized development costs and the foreign currency translation reserve.
 
(i)
Legal reserve for capitalized development costs
A legal reserve has been recognized within equity with regard to the capitalized development costs of the Group’s internally developed EV Cloud platform in accordance with section 365, sub 2, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. The legal reserve is reduced as the capitalized development costs are amortized. Additions and releases from the legal reserve are recorded through retained earnings.
 
(ii)
Foreign currency translation reserve
The foreign currency translation reserve includes the cumulative exchange differences that result from the translation of the financial statements of the Group’s foreign operations.
Loss per share
2.7.19. Loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the Company, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year.
Diluted loss per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic loss per share to take into account the after-income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.
Provisions and contingencies
2.7.20. Provisions and contingencies
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as
a
result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably measured. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses.
Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognized even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.
When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognized as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received
and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably. The expense relating to a provision is presented in the consolidated statement of profit or loss net of any reimbursement.
Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period. The discount rate used to determine the present value is a
pre-tax
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as interest expense, presented within finance costs in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Jubilee provisions
The accounting policy for jubilee provisions is described in the employee benefits section.
Restructuring provisions
Restructuring provisions are recognized only when the Group has a constructive obligation, which is when:
 
   
there is a detailed formal plan that identifies the business or part of the business concerned, the location and number of employees affected, the detailed estimate of the associated costs, and the timeline; and
 
   
the employees affected have been notified of the plan’s main features.
The measurement of a restructuring provision includes only the direct expenditures arising from the restructuring, which are those amounts that are both necessarily entailed by the restructuring and not associated with the ongoing activities of the business or part of the business concerned.
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities arise when there is a:
 
   
possible obligation that might, but will probably not require an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits; or
 
   
present obligation that probably requires an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits, but where the obligation cannot be measured reliably; or
 
   
present obligation that might, but will probably not, require an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits.
Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position, but rather are disclosed, unless the possibility of an outflow is considered remote.
Income tax
2.7.21. Income tax
The income tax expense or credit for the period is the tax payable on the current period’s taxable income, based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences and to unused tax losses.
Current tax
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period in the countries where the Company and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and considers whether it is probable that a taxation authority
will accept an uncertain tax treatment. The Group measures its tax balances either based on the most likely amount or the expected value, depending on which method provides a better prediction of the resolution of the uncertainty.
Deferred tax
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is also not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.
Deferred tax assets are recognized only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilize those temporary differences and losses.
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are not recognized for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of investments in foreign operations where the company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at nominal value.
Current and deferred tax for the year
Current and deferred tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.