Wenea, the leading independent electric vehicle (EV) charging operator in Spain, is shifting its business model in the United Kingdom (UK), where it has been active since late 2018.
To learn more about this new strategy, Mobility Portal Europe speaks with Gustavo A. Prince, who has been working as Head of Wenea UK.
“One of our main goals for 2025 is to establish ourselves as a leading high-power charging (HPC) network,” explains Prince.
Recently, the company has been operating chargers with power outputs of 7, 22, 50, and 60 kilowatts (kW), averaging approximately 30 kW.
However, they are now aiming to increase this average to at least 120 or 150 kW.
“While this is a significant change, we are already carrying out projects that include our 240 kW chargers,” he reveals.
It is worth noting that, unlike previous contracts with public authorities, these HPC or ultra-rapid charging projects will also be developed in private establishments, such as shopping centres.
“With this shift in commercial focus, there will be different types of stations—larger, faster charging hubs with a stronger presence in commercial areas and new B2B solutions, which we have not yet deployed widely in the UK,” says the Operations Director.
When Wenea first started operating in the UK, it focused on public tenders awarded by local authorities. Today, the company has deployment contracts with more than 25 of these entities.
“By securing these contracts with councils and property owners in urban residential areas, our network includes a mix of slow, fast and high-power charging,” Prince explains.
Looking ahead to 2025, he adds, “Our goal is to expand further, increasing the presence of High Power Charging (HPC).“
This shift towards HPC and the inclusion of new types of locations represents a new experience and, therefore, a “technological, engineering, and commercial challenge.”
However, stepping out of its comfort zone is precisely the type of challenge that keeps Wenea’s team motivated.
“We must continue growing and pick up the pace,” the Operations Director emphasises.
Wenea aims to triple the number of charging points
At present, Wenea operates around 350 public charging points in the UK, with almost 200 more in various stages of construction.
“The goal is to reacharound 1,000 by the end of this year,” says Prince.
But that’s not all—the company is also aiming to have approximately 2,500 charging points in the UK by 2027.
“Wenea’s global plan is to reach 5,000 charging points, with a particular focus on Spain, the UK, and Portugal,” he explains.
How does Wenea plan to retain customers?
To encourage repeat usage of its chargers, Wenea is focused on delivering a high-quality user experience.
“People return when they have a comfortable experience and receive what they need. This is our strategy for customer retention,” says Prince.
In this regard, competitive pricing plays a crucial role.
“We can adapt to different customer profiles and offer personalised packages, depending on whether they charge daily, every three days, or weekly,” he notes.
“We need to be creative when offering solutions,” he adds.
Prince highlights Tap and Charge, a feature that allows users to identify themselves and start charging their vehicles quickly and easily.
The steps are simple: disconnect the connector, tap the card on the contactless reader, and start charging.
Energy pricing: A challenge for CPOs
Several executives in the UK eMobility sector, including Prince, recognise that energy pricing is a significant challenge today.
“The regulatory framework is changing, introducing penalties for charge point operators (CPOs) who do not fully utilise their contracted or installed power,” explains the Operations Director.
From an ideal solution standpoint, he believes that efforts should be made to reduce the impact of fixed costs.
Additionally, he stresses the importance of industry-wide discussions to ensure that the burden does not fall solely on intermediaries—in this case, CPOs
“Otherwise, the only option left will be to increase the price per kilowatt-hour,” Prince warns.
Indeed, maintaining competitive pricing is challenging when compared to the cost of home charging.
This situation creates an economic imbalance that is not viable for either party.
“While we strive to offer users a competitive price, we must also ensure the economic sustainability of our projects,” he concludes.
About Wenea
Wenea is Spain’s leading independent EV charging operator, with a network spanning over 1,200 charging points across the country.
The company’s platform also promotes sustainable mobility in the UK and Portugal, providing charging services and energy management solutions for businesses, individuals, and public entities.
Additionally, its dedication to developing cutting-edge solutions has enabled Wenea to play a key role in the transition to electric mobility.
As a result, over 150,000 customers already trust Wenea to charge their EVs across its markets.
The company is committed to expanding its network to reach 5,000 charging points by 2027 across the UK and Spain.
