Fernando Calleja, Sales Director, Spain at Virta Ltd., had an engaging Q&A session with Imran Mushtaq, discussing the future of EV charging in Spain. He shared insights on Virta’s smart charging solutions, the expansion of Spain’s EV infrastructure, and the role of public-private collaboration in accelerating e-mobility adoption.

#Imran: Virta has been recognized as a leader in smart EV charging solutions. Could you elaborate on the unique features of Virta’s platform that set it apart from competitors? 

#Fernando: Virta offers comprehensive business solutions for EV charging infrastructures, including full white-label capabilities and flexible business models that allow operators to act as either a Charge Point Operator (CPO), eMobility Service Provider (eMSP), or both. The platform handles complete revenue management and billing, while enabling roaming across Europe.

Virta's platform incorporates advanced energy management features such as Dynamic Load Management and integration with renewable energy sources.  The platform enables remote monitoring and diagnostics and can integrate with multiple charging hardware brands. The platform demonstrates enterprise-grade scalability, supporting large charging networks with high uptime and reliability. It maintains ISO certified security standards and utilizes an API-first architecture for seamless integration.
The user experience is enhanced through a mobile app that facilitates easy charging.

#Imran: How can Spain improve its EV charging infrastructure to support the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road?

#Fernando: Spain can improve its EV charging infrastructure by accelerating the installation of fast chargers along major highways and addressing underserved rural areas and tourist destinations. This expansion should align with the EU's AFIR regulation, which requires charging stations every 60km along main transportation routes.

Public-private partnerships will be crucial for development, with government incentives encouraging collaboration between utilities and private operators. Local municipalities should receive support to develop their charging networks effectively.

Standardization and accessibility improvements are essential, focusing on ensuring interoperability between different charging networks, simplifying payment systems, and providing real-time information about charger availability to users.

#Imran: With Virta’s strong focus on sustainability and renewable energy integration, how does your company ensure its charging solutions contribute to a greener energy future?

#Fernando: Virta's solutions include advanced energy management capabilities that allow charging stations to automatically adjust their power consumption based on grid capacity and renewable energy availability. For example, charging sessions can be scheduled during peak solar production periods.

Virta's CPMS platform helps reduce carbon emissions through intelligent power distribution. The system can prioritize charging when the grid's renewable energy content is highest, and the load balancing features prevent unnecessary grid stress that might require activation of fossil fuel power plants.

Furthermore, Virta supports the transition to renewable energy by enabling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, allowing electric vehicles to serve as mobile energy storage units.

#Imran: How can Spain’s government and private sector collaborate more effectively to make EVs more accessible and appealing to consumers?

#Fernando: The government could expand its current incentive programs by offering more attractive tax benefits and purchase subsidies, while simultaneously working with automakers to bring more affordable EV models to the Spanish market. The successful MOVES III program could be enhanced with simplified application processes and faster payment timelines.

Financial institutions and car manufacturers could partner to develop innovative financing solutions, such as low-interest loans specifically for EVs or lease programs that make electric vehicles more financially accessible to middle-income households.

Workplace charging infrastructure could be expanded with the government offering tax incentives to businesses that install charging stations for employees. This approach has already shown success in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

#Imran: How do you think events like the Euro EV Show can help promote EV adoption in Spain and globally? What opportunities do you see for companies worldwide to establish and grow their presence in Spain?

#Fernando: Events like the Euro EV Show play a crucial role in accelerating EV adoption : it’s a networking hub where industry leaders, manufacturers, and technology providers can showcase their latest innovations. For Spain specifically, the Euro EV Show provides a platform to highlight the country's growing EV infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

Spain is committed to meet EU's AFIR requirements (charging stations every 60km on major routes) and that creates immediate opportunities for charging operators. The government's ambitious target of 100,000 public charging points by 2025 opens significant market space for expansion.

Spain's position as a major tourist destination and logistics hub between makes it particularly attractive for charging networks. The government Support The MOVES III program and other incentives to provide substantial funding for charging infrastructure. Companies can leverage these subsidies to reduce installation costs and accelerate network deployment.