With contracts signed for the construction and deployment of its first charging stations, Inma Cima, Country Manager of Fastned locally, speaks exclusively with Mobility Portal Europe and shares details about eMobility operations.
“This year we began constructing stations in September. We can do our part in four months; we don’t need more. The rest of the time is spent on permits and approvals,” confirms the executive.
By early 2025, the first stations are expected to be completed, although the operational timeline will depend on the connection procedures to the grid.
An interesting fact is that the company already operates more than 320 stations and nearly 2,000 ultra-rapid charging points across Europe.
However, it has been mentioned that outside Spain, it takes between 12 and 18 months to establish an operational hub, whereas here this timeframe extends to 36 months.
Why?
This is primarily due to issues related to the connection to the electrical grid, the most critical point in the process.
For ultra-rapid charging stations, power levels of around 1.6 MW are required for light vehicles at a minimum, and three to four times more for heavy vehicles, but achieving this is complex.
According to Fastned, this can be addressed through measures such as:
- Publication of a national power map: This centralised information helps operators understand power availability at specific locations.
- Timely information from distributors: Distributors should be urged to provide information on the power available at a specific point within a maximum of 30 days, as this timeframe is not currently being met.
- Tabulating deadlines: It is recommended to tabulate the deadlines of distributors so that charging operators are not left at their mercy once the technical-economic conditions (CTE) are accepted.
- Improvement of communication: Establishing a more direct communication channel with the technicians assigned to projects at the distributors is essential, rather than relying on consumer information hotlines.
- Simultaneous commencement of works: It is suggested to start the works for connecting to the electrical grid at the same time as those for the charging station to avoid delays in the commissioning of charging points.
And that’s not all.
Inma Cima highlights the need for the legalisation of installations by the Ministry of Industry, another point that causes headaches for charging point operators (CPOs).
Once the charging station is built, it requires an inspection by the Approved Control Organisation (OCA).
This organisation sends the certificate to the Ministry for authorisation, a process that can take between six months and a year.
Here, Fastned also has two solutions to expedite this process: on one hand, “immediate authorisations” and obtaining a “single channel for legalisation”.
Despite all this, the Country Manager confirms:
“The timelines have been somewhat reduced, but not to the ideal point, although there has been improvement over the last three years.”
That’s why the company, founded in the Netherlands, takes a proactive stance through its corporate communication and establishes strong links with eMobility sector associations to convey its needs.
It is worth noting that the yellow canopies that characterise this company’s stations first arrived in Spain, specifically in Casarrubuelos, a municipality in Madrid located on the A42 motorway connecting Madrid with Toledo.
The station will feature eight chargers, each with a power output of up to 400 kilowatts (kW), where electric vehicle drivers can recharge their batteries.
In addition to this location, Fastned has plans for another 12 stations in Spain.
Notably, Spain is the ninth country in which Fastned operates.
Growth is already a natural part of the company’s corporate culture, as evidenced by its recent announcements.
Last week, official statements announced that it has generated 21.9 million euros in revenue in the third quarter of the year, a 44% increase compared to the same period last year.
And all this, while successfully operating 326 stations in seven countries.
What are Fastned’s goals?
Cima emphasises that the foundation of Fastned’s business model lies in primarily offering high-power recharges.
How? By installing chargers that reach 400 kilowatts.
“If a user arrives at a station that is aesthetically pleasing, sheltered from the sun and rain, well-lit at night, where charging is easy and quick, and everything works smoothly, then they will return,” she acknowledges, leading to an important point.
Customer loyalty is achieved by providing a service that is as efficient as possible, comprehensive, and responsive to their needs, such as access for people with reduced mobility.
And that’s not all…
There is also a particular focus on fast charging, a previously mentioned but essential aspect when discussing Fastned’s DNA.
Why?
Because it allows drivers to charge up to 300 km in their vehicles in just 15 minutes, maintaining a similar experience to that currently available at petrol stations.
This methodology appears to be crucial when discussing a market like the local one.
Spain, despite having 37,000 chargers, has only 2% that exceed 250 kW.
With this in mind, the main driver of the company’s investment and deployment strategy is to have one thousand stations by 2030.
How do these two aspects link?
Simply put, the strategy is not to define a specific number of hubs per country, but to progress “as demand requires”.
Maximising the efficiency of the stations is also taken into account in the roadmap outlined by Fastned.
There, “locations with high turnover and entry and exit traffic are prioritised”.
The metropolitan areas of cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are not overlooked, as fast charging is “very much needed”.
Recently, AEDIVE published data on charging points from the third quarter of 2024.
The document highlights that across the country there are only a total of 4,255 ultra-rapid connectors.
Where are they located?
They are concentrated among the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Andalusia, Valencia, Madrid, and Castile and León.
That’s why Fastned is taking a step further to respond to the demand generated in areas that still lack high-power connectors.
Is there a defined goal?
To this, Cima responds:
“If you ask me, I would like to have as many stations deployed in Spain as possible, but we depend on the permitting timelines.”
Fastned and the charging of cars and trucks: a separate issue?
The conversation between Mobility Portal Europe and Inma Cima touched on various aspects, and the coexistence of segments was one of them.
The Country Manager of Fastned explains that their facilities already allow for the charging of light vehicles and trucks, all under a fast entry and exit format, similar to that of a conventional petrol station.
However, she warns that heavy vehicles, such as trailers, will require a separate model of stations.
This is justified as follows:
“We see no sense in mixing both types of vehicles at the same stations, due to differences in charging needs and safety concerns.”
With this clarified, and alongside a strong commitment to electric mobility, Fastned is well-positioned to make a significant contribution to the charging ecosystem in the country.
The company has also been solely dedicated to the development, construction, and operation of charging stations for over 12 years.
And it is clear that they will continue to advance “as long as the bureaucratic obstacles currently limiting their progress are overcome.”
