Overview:
In this PTR Perspective episode, Saqib Saeed, Chief Product Officer at PTR Inc., engages with Nicolai Woyczechowski, Managing Director at Virta International GmbH. In this insightful conversation, Nicolai shares his perspectives on the current state and future potential of the EV charging market, emphasizing its evolution toward greater profitability, resilience, and customer-centricity. He highlights key challenges, such as the impact of fluctuating EV subsidies in Germany, which have created market uncertainty, and the global equipment shortages that caused delays in AC/DC charger deployments—a situation that has now reversed, leading to a surplus of charging hardware and increased competition among Charge Point Operators (CPOs). A central theme of the discussion is the critical role of the power grid in supporting widespread EV adoption. Nicolai stresses the need for it to be capable of handling multi-charging hubs. He also underscores the importance of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in simplifying EV integration and ensuring the grid infrastructure evolves in tandem with electrification demands. Additionally, the conversation delves into the future of Mobility Service Providers (MSPs) and Electric Mobility Service Providers (EMSPs), analyzing their business models and long-term viability in an increasingly competitive landscape. Nicolai also highlights a major trend set to define the industry’s future: energy market integration, which has the potential to transform previously unprofitable EV charging businesses into sustainable and revenue-generating ventures. This episode provides valuable insights into the evolving EV charging ecosystem, offering industry professionals a deeper understanding of the market dynamics, grid challenges, and emerging opportunities that will shape the future of e-mobility.
Speakers
Nicolai Woyczechowski // Managing Director – Virta
International GmbH. Nicolai Woyczechowski was born in Berlin in 1983. He laid the foundation for his career in electromobility early on with his diploma thesis at the European University Viadrina, entitled “The prospects for success of electromobility in Germany”. After graduating, he initially worked for various companies as a consultant and project manager with a focus on the energy industry. In January 2014, he found his way back to electro-mobility and took over responsibility for business development at Hubject GmbH. His responsibilities included the acquisition and implementation of major and special projects as well as innovation management. Since October 1, 2016, he has been responsible for sales and market development for Virta Inter-national GmbH (a 100% subsidiary of Liikennevirta Oy from Finland) for the DACH region from the Berlin office. His team is now fifteen strong and growing. Since 01.01.2022 he is also responsible for the CEE region
Saqib Saeed // Chief Product Officer – PTR Inc.
Saqib is a highly accomplished market research professional and a data storyteller in the international energy industry. With over a decade of experience in the field, he currently serves as the Chief Product Officer at PTR Inc. His expertise lies in the power grid and e-mobility equipment sectors. Saqib has overseen numerous global market research studies throughout his career and provided valuable insights to key decision-makers at various Fortune 500 companies. He is a member of the editorial board for Transformers Magazine and a member of the Advisory board of CWIEME Berlin and Middle East Energy. In addition to his market research career, Saqib has worked as an Electrical Engineer in the manufacturing sector.
