Interview with Mihai Dragos Ciobanu, CEO of EV Connect
EV Connect stands out as a Charge Point Operator (CPO) in Romania with more than 450 charging points. EVcharge has been acting as an Electric Mobility Service Provider (EMSP) for more than four years.
As part of the collaboration, EV Connect has a management suite and an App, available on PlayStore and Apple Store, for electric car users in Romania to perform their daily recharging, easily and safely.
To get the point of view of EV Connect, Romania’s leading CPO, we spoke to Mihai Dragos Ciobanu, the CEO of EV Connect:
– Tell us, how has EV Connect evolved since 2014 when you installed the first charger until today?
EV Connect is currently the largest charging point operator in Romania, with more than 450 charging points in various locations across the country. We started our operations in 2014 with our first charger and have since experienced significant growth. In 2018, our network expanded further and, as of today, we have 476 chargers. Our mission is to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in Romania and to provide an accessible and efficient charging service.
– How many of these chargers are fast and how many are semi-fast?
Of our 450 chargers, approximately 60% are semi-fast and 40% are fast. This allows us to offer a versatile solution that adapts to the different needs of our users.
– What is the current situation of EV Connect in Romania and what socio-demographic factors are you facing?
Within Romania, we are still in a phase of expansion. There is not a large electric car fleet, but the process is slow and steady, thanks to incentives and subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles and for municipalities. We are pioneers and among the best, with customers from both the public and private sectors, including major international companies. Of the points installed, 50% are private and 50% are public, but 70% of the recharges come from the public network.
-Why did you choose EVcharge as your Electric Mobility Service Provider (EMSP)?
Having our own branded platform was one of our first requirements. We wanted to create one of the most extensive networks of charging points for electric vehicles in Eastern Europe. EVcharge’s white label allows us to integrate our brand seamlessly into all tools, both in the management suite and in the app used by our customers. This guarantees us a platform that is always up to date with the latest enhancements.
– What other factors were decisive in choosing EVcharge?
In addition to the customisation of the platform, we value the ability to organise clients in a hierarchical way, creating groups and enabling independent permissions. This functionality, known as domains and super domains, allows us to have great control over our customers. Also, the advanced pricing functionalities allow us to set a multitude of seasonal, hourly or seasonal rates, and to adapt to local regulations, which is crucial for our business in Romania.
– How does EV Connect stand out from its competitors?
Our strength lies in our ability to integrate various technologies and charger brands, such as EVbox, Kempower, Cicontrol and Ingeteam. In addition, we have a robust management platform and a mobile app that makes it easy for users to locate, navigate and manage charging points. We have also been pioneers in offering a reliable and stable service, which has earned us the trust of both public and private sector customers.
– Let’s talk about the project in Cluj-Napoca, the municipality with the most recharges in 2023. What can you tell us about this success story?
Cluj-Napoca is a perfect example of how we can positively impact a community. Since 2017, we have installed 48 chargers in this city, many of them fast charging and AC. Incentives from the city council, which has offered free energy for the last 5-6 years, have been key to boosting electric vehicles in the city. Currently, there are around 3,000 electric vehicles in Cluj-Napoca, and the ease of accessibility through our application has been highly valued by users. In addition, the technical support we offer has been instrumental in maintaining high levels of satisfaction.
– Do you have any other success stories you would like to share?
One of our most outstanding success stories is the collaboration with an international company that has installed 150 chargers. This project has been a great challenge and a great satisfaction, as we have met the deadlines and provided a high quality service. This demonstrates our ability to manage large projects and offer customised solutions to our customers.
– What are the trends in electric mobility that influence your strategy and operations?
Electric mobility is one of the most active sectors and, as well as being a business, it is vital to push the adoption of electromobility, especially for commercial and public transport vehicles, which are the most polluting at the moment. Electromobility still faces several resistance factors, but by informing the public in the right way, I believe the future will be green. Beyond that, I believe that the European Commission’s subsidy policy should open up a little more towards SMEs that contribute in this sector, as so far the programmes favour much more large companies and municipalities, to the detriment of small and medium-sized enterprises.
– What are EV Connect’s plans for the future?
In the coming years, we plan to expand our network both inside and outside Romania. We aim to reach 3,500 charging points in Romania by 2026 and more than 30,000 across the EU by 2030. We also want to continue to implement new technologies and tools that make the recharging process easier for our users, such as the EVcharge Totem payment system. We believe this will not only improve the user experience, but also generate new revenue opportunities.
Thank you very much, Mihai, for sharing with us the history and future plans of EV Connect – we wish you every success!
Promoting sustainable electric mobility
EV Connect has established itself as the leading operator of charging points in Romania, managing more than 450 points thanks to the partnership with EVcharge and its white label option, which has allowed it to easily develop its management platform for the charging network in the country. Drivers of electric vehicles in Romania can easily charge and pay with their app, taking advantage of all the features developed by EVcharge.
To download the App and be able to recharge your EV in Romania we recommend:
