Mota-Engil Renewing aims to position itself as a key player in the electric vehicle charging market, with a target of having 7,000 operational charging points in Portugal, Poland, and Spain by 2030.
With a clear strategy focused on expansion in less mature markets, CEO Luis Castanheira highlights that the company plans to end 2024 with over 250 devices installed in Portugal.
It also seeks to further expand its presence in Poland and Spain leveraging on Mota-Engil Group’s expertise in both markets, while taking of their relatively less mature electric mobility sectors, positioning both markets as prime opportunities for Mota-Engil Renewing’s expansion plans.
In Poland, where the firm has operated in the infrastructure sector for 25 years, Castanheira sees a market with significant potential.
“They currently have around 7,000 charging points, most of which are low-power, slow charging stations, meaning there is room to grow and improve the offering,” Castanheira explains in dialogue with Mobility Portal Europe.
He also notes that Poland’s growing economy enhances the opportunity for Mota-Engil Renewing to become a key operator in the sector.
As for Spain, geographical proximity and the rise of eMobility make it another strategic target.
Although expansion is underway, the CEO mentions that they are negotiating the investment with a local company that will give Mota-Engil Renewing a solid foothold in the country.
“We expect to finalise these strategic contracts before November,” Castanheira states, emphasising that both organic growth and acquisitions will be crucial to achieving the firm’s goals.
What’s next?
Looking ahead to 2025, Mota-Engil Renewing’s strategy is directed towards Latin America, where the group already has a strong presence in infrastructure deployment, particularly in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.
“It’s a natural progression for us and in the medium term, Africa will also be a target,” Castanheira says.
But, what challenges does Mota-Engil Renewing face?
One of the biggest challenges is adapting to local regulations and forging strategic partnerships.
“There are always regulatory differences, in spite of a common European framework,” he notes.
In Poland, thanks to the group’s experience in the country, this process has been smoother.
However, despite its proximity, Spain presents unique challenges in terms of structuring the eMobility market, particularly concerning the different processes and requirements from grid operators for approving grid connections for charging points installations.
What role do renewable energies play in this expansion?
Mota-Engil Renewing’s focus on integrating green power is another key aspect of its business strategy, particularly in Spain, where it is conducting pilot projects involving battery storage, with the aim to increase the available power at charging points.
“We’re testing smart pricing and energy optimization according to the time of charging,” the CEO explains.
While the market in Portugal currently does not provide a suitable pro-business framework to integrate renewables to publicly accessible charging points, the company anticipates implementing more innovative solutions in the neighboring country in the near future.
More about Mota-Engil Renewing
The firm focuses on providing efficient and accessible charging solutions for electric vehicle drivers.
According to Castanheira, the company is advancing its collaboration with major local companies and developing innovative projects that are already contributing to the sustainable growth of the “recharging” infrastructure in Portugal and in the near future in Spain and Poland.
Mota-Engil Renewing has key relationships with supermarkets, shopping center operators, and large restaurants, in addition to working with local municipalities to install EV chargers.
“These are our biggest partners,” Castanheira points out, while also emphasizing the importance of working with electricity distribution operators to develop new technologies and optimize the charging infrastructure.
In this regard, the company is also seeking suppliers capable of supporting its long-term growth.
“Our intention is to work with top-tier players and see them as partners, as we don’t operate within a typical client-supplier relationship,” he asserts.
He adds: “We want partners we can trust and who will support us throughout the entire lifecycle of our chargers.”
On a global scale, the company follows in the footsteps of the Mota-Engil Group, founded in 1946 and a leader in international infrastructure deployment and operation.
For Castanheira, the key to success lies in a combination of strategic partnerships, adaptability to local markets, and the ability to innovate in efficient and sustainable charging solutions.
