Electra is moving forward on two key pillars: the credibility it has built within the eMobility sector and its expansion strategy based on profitability.
In the past two years, it has raised 175 million euros and secured additional funding of several hundred million euros to finance crucial infrastructure.
Founded in 2021 by Aurélien de Meaux, the current CEO, and Julien Belliato, the current COO, the French company has made significant strides in its short existence.
It now covers key markets such as Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, where we will place special focus in this opportunity.
Eugenio Sapora, General Manager of Electra at the national level, delves into the deployment strategy that is solidifying, alongside Mobility Portal Europe.
Here’s an exclusive face-to-face on eMobility:
How is Electra progressing in its positioning in Italy?
We have been bringing electric mobility to Italy for a year and a half. We began in November 2022, and now we are in the process of expansion.
We have two main areas of focus: finding new locations for our stations and operations, which means the construction of those stations.
What is your primary objective?
We aim to create a network of between 300 and 400 “Supercharger” stations in the country over the next three years.
And in the short term?
By 2025, we want to have 100 active stations.
How does this translate into the number of chargers?
Each station will, on average, have around 10 chargers, so we are talking about over 1,000 chargers next year. In the long term, we are considering reaching about 2,000 to 3,000.
Is that all?
No, it is likely that we will exceed that figure over time. We are also expanding regionally, including the south, which will take more time.
What announcements from Electra are on the horizon?
We have started to secure agreements with several municipalities, and one of the most significant has been with the City of Milan, which is a major achievement.
Is there a special focus there?
We are preparing a strategic plan with a series of stations and special tariffs for the city. It will be a strong project at the national level.
Is competition a challenge for Electra in the Italian market?
It exists, but it is not as fierce as in other countries. For instance, in Germany, the electric market is already more developed. Here, we still have room to grow, and the competition is manageable.
Was it complicated to start operations in Italy?
Working here is no more difficult than in other countries.
Each country has its pros and cons.
Speaking with colleagues from other countries, I realise that while it may be challenging to find locations in Italy due to the need for electrical installations, there are places where it is even harder, like in Spain.
Spain is famous for its bureaucracy; are there similar issues in Italy?
We have lengthy processes, but they are not impossible. Bureaucracy is one factor, but it is not the only reason for the delays.
Installation times are around two months to construct a station, but between permits and other requirements, the total process can take a year.
However, I believe this is acceptable, as many of these regulations protect the country’s cultural heritage and environment, which is valuable.
Are there any national regulations causing issues?
Most regulations are already European, so there are not many differences in that respect.
For example, across Europe, it is mandatory for each station to have at least one charger that allows card payments.
In Italy, there are also specific laws, such as those requiring stations to be a certain distance from state roads.
There are also restrictions on building stations near archaeological sites, motorways, and other locations.
Does Electra have a positive wish list for the Government?
It would be ideal for them to offer lower electricity tariffs for charging point operators, which would also benefit the end user.
Moreover, the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) is an important opportunity for the development of charging infrastructure in the country.
The demand for eMobility in Italy is advancing, but is it at the pace that Electra expects?
The reality is that Italy is one of the countries with the lowest penetration of electromobility in Europe.
We have very low electric vehicle registration figures, even lower than those in Spain.
However, the positive aspect is that Italy is surrounded by countries with a higher penetration of electric vehicles, such as Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.
How does this influence things?
It generates a constant flow of electric vehicles travelling along the Brenner motorway, which connects northern Europe with Italy.
In some areas of Italy, the charging infrastructure is functioning quite well, while in others, it is still very limited due to the low adoption of electric cars.
What are the main obstacles to eMobility in Italy?
The problems are primarily twofold: the low availability of affordable electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure.
Electric cars remain more expensive and less practical than combustion vehicles, which discourages consumers.
Until we resolve these two issues, achieving mass adoption will be difficult. Once we have affordable electric cars and an adequate charging network, we can advance much more quickly.
