TotalEnergies' Barbero Outlines Spain's EV Charging Future: Profitability, Expansion, and Hydrogen Mix
TotalEnergies' Ignacio Barbero, Director of eMobility, discusses the company's plans and challenges in Spain's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. He highlights the medium to long-term profitability of investments and the need for strategic planning.
Barbero acknowledges the initial low profitability of charging point installation but expects it to match other energy distribution activities over time. He advises securing long-term contracts to endure these early losses.
Currently, Spain's charging network is insufficient, but Barbero assures that EVs can travel throughout the country without major issues. TotalEnergies aims to address this by installing a high-power charger every 150 kilometers by 2030, aiming to be a key player in the Spanish market.
Regarding heavy-tonnage vehicles, Barbero envisions a mixed decarbonization approach, combining electrification with hydrogen. He suggests differentiating between vehicles under seven tons and those over 40, as the Spanish electrical infrastructure is not fully prepared for their transition.
TotalEnergies' vision for heavy truck transit involves developing integrated energy solutions. This includes expanding renewable energy projects and optimizing battery storage systems to support the electrification and decarbonization of heavy transport sectors. The company already has around 60 chargers in Spain and 15,000 across Europe, offering services to various customers and in public spaces.
Barbero warns of potential tax shifts to electricity by governments, which could affect end-user costs. He supports the obligation to accept credit cards as a direct payment method at public charging points to enhance interoperability.
TotalEnergies, with Ignacio Barbero at the helm, is committed to Spain's EV charging infrastructure. Despite initial low profitability, they see medium to long-term returns. Their plans include expanding the charging network, supporting heavy-tonnage vehicle decarbonization, and enhancing payment interoperability. However, they also caution about potential tax shifts and the need for strategic planning.
