Alina Oprea • 31 July, 2023 at 11:40 AM
The Cluj-based company Promelek XXI aims to sell, by the end of the current year, 400 charging stations for 100% electric or plug-in hybrid cars. Thus, in the current market context marked by high interest in such products and state funding programs, the company is counting on a 15% advance in sales in this niche compared to 2022. The company is one of the main players in the local market of electrical equipment, part of the Spanish Elektra group. According to the company's data, in the last two years, the number of requests for charging stations for 100% electric or plug-in hybrid cars has doubled.
Moreover, market studies show that, at the end of 2022, the map of green gas stations in our country reached a total number of 1,350 charging stations.
"The electrified car market has experienced significant growth in Romania in recent years, thus generating a growing demand for the installation of charging stations dedicated to these vehicles. Considering these upward trends, we decided to expand our business line dedicated to electric charging stations and to focus assiduously on the development of this infrastructure. Owners of electric cars now need an adequate network to be able to charge their vehicles at home, at work, and while traveling," said Károly Nagy, CEO of Promelek XXI.
According to his estimates, 20% of sales in this niche are destined for the residential sector, 60% of the products will be placed in public spaces, HoReCa, and office buildings, and 20% will be used for transport loading infrastructure, especially for trucks electrical.
Against the background of the technological evolution of 100% electric or hybrid plug-in cars, as well as the financing programs supported by the Government, more and more people opt for the purchase of an electric car. According to APIA data (Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers), in the first 6 months of this year around 16,000 cars in this category (either 100% electric, plug-in hybrid, or full hybrid) were registered, representing almost 22% of the total number of registered cars. Moreover, as in 2022, electrified cars performed the best at the market level, with purchases increasing by 34.5% compared to the first half of last year.
And at the level of the European Union, the trend is similar, and in 2022 electric-chargeable vehicles cover 21.6% of all new passenger cars, and hybrids constitute 22.6% of all sales
"One of the current trends in the profile market is represented by the integration of slow charging stations with photovoltaic systems. This is a sustainable and economical solution for customers who want to reduce their costs with the electricity used to charge their vehicles. As for the fast stations, the increase in the minimum charging step from 50 kW to 60 kW is noticeable, and the option with two simultaneous charging connectors is the most common choice," Károly Nagy added.
From internal analyses, it emerges that the main category of customers who purchase charging stations intended for the residential sector are middle and upper-class families, with higher education and incomes exceeding €3,000 per month/per family.
Among the main projects carried out by the company recently, in this business niche, are the installation of charging stations at Avram Iancu International Airport in Cluj-Napoca, landscaping of the Someș riverside by the City Hall of Cluj-Napoca, Plateau of the Cluj-Napoca Sports Hall and Compexit Trading, authorized Skoda dealer in Cluj-Napoca.