CEE region From Tallinn to Dubrovnik

Eleport has secured EUR 35 mln in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the development of the Electric Amber Road project. Which markets along the corridor – beyond Poland – will be your priority in the next 2–3 years?

Michał Małecki, chief revenue officer at Eleport: We started our operations in Estonia, and the Baltic countries were a natural first step in our expansion. Today, this is where we have our strongest infrastructure base. In the coming years, we will focus on delivering a strong pipeline of secured locations in key markets along the corridor, while continuing selective expansion. Our ambition is to enable seamless electric vehicle travel from Tallinn all the way to Dubrovnik. In the Baltic states, where EV adoption and infrastructure have developed steadily, demand is becoming increasingly stable and predictable. In other markets, seasonality is still more visible, as the pace of electromobility growth and travel patterns vary. We factor this into our planning of new locations to ensure smooth deployment and reliable charging along the entire route.

What types of properties are currently the most attractive from the perspective of fast-charging hub efficiency – retail parks, convenience centres or office buildings?

Our primary focus remains on the largest, key shopping centres in major cities, as they offer the broadest catchment areas and the highest footfall. Eleport’s DNA is built around developing charging hubs in places where customers can use them naturally and conveniently, without feeling that charging is any kind of inconvenience. A greater number of charging points in a single location provides customers with comfort and certainty that they will be able to charge their vehicle without difficulty.

Just a few years ago, charger availability at retail properties was often limited. Today, property owners increasingly view charging infrastructure as a natural extension of their offer and an important factor influencing customer satisfaction. We have signed agreements with some of the largest retail portfolio operators in the region. Among those who have placed their trust in us are G City, SES and Supernova. Additional well-recognised brands will soon join our portfolio.

What technical and urban planning conditions determine the selection of a specific location? Do you encounter significant regulatory differences across Amber Road markets that impact project timelines?

Our priority markets are those where electromobility is developing at a stable pace, particularly in major metropolitan areas. At the same time, we see clear regulatory and operational differences between countries – for example, in grid connection timelines or infrastructure-related costs. Naturally, this affects both the pace and structure of investments. Our hubs are developed within existing or newly built retail properties, which is why we place strong emphasis on selecting the right location within the asset – both technically and from a user experience perspective. If a shopping centre does not offer a visible and easily accessible charging area, it directly translates into a negative driver experience. This is something neither we as an operator nor our partners want.

How do you assess demand dynamics for fast charging in the CEE region? Is it driven primarily by fleet users, private customers or city and commercial developer strategies?

Growth rates vary by market, but the key drivers are very clear: convenience and lower total cost of use. As charging becomes increasingly accessible and reliable, and as electric vehicles remain cost-competitive to operate, adoption grows naturally. At the same time, Central and Eastern Europe is still catching up with more mature electromobility markets, where electric vehicles already account for around 20 pct of new car sales on average. This gap highlights both the region’s growth potential and the importance of continuing to expand high-quality, widely available charging infrastructure.

Eleport plans to launch more than 1,000 additional charging points by 2028. In the long term, will EV hubs become a standard feature of retail and mixed-use assets?

We are confident that charging stations will soon become a standard element of parking areas at retail properties – just like other services we now consider basic amenities. The technology itself is already mature. On our side, the key task is to continue refining the entire user journey to make it even more convenient. We focus on delivering a seamless experience that integrates naturally into customers’ everyday habits.