“Inbalance grid” took over the “Via Lietuva” fast charging network: what will change? | Business

The company, which has expanded the most in the segment of medium power stations, is also planning an ambitious development of fast charging infrastructure, which will be achieved by the smart technologies developed by the company for the management and monitoring of electric vehicle networks.

After taking over the management of “Via Lietuva” stations, the number of public and semi-public charging points operated by “Inbalance grid” in Lithuania will increase to 430. The stations themselves will continue to belong to the state. The contract with “Inbalance grid” was signed for one year with the possibility to extend it twice.

Will expand the fast charging network

According to Inbalance grid director Simon Stankaus, the winning Via Lietuva tender will allow the company to implement its long-term strategy much faster: to sustainably expand smart charging solutions in the most convenient locations for drivers.

“For the first five years of our operation, we deliberately expanded mainly in the medium-power segment in cities: even now more than half of charging sessions take place there, and in the future this share will grow to 80-90%.” But with the rapid growth in the number of electric car owners, there is also a need for high-power stations near exits from cities or on highways. “Via Lietuva” network management will speed up our development in the fast charging segment, but in the coming years we plan to build at least 20 more 300 kW power stations in our network on the country’s roads”, comments S. Stankus.

He emphasizes that more than half of the company’s team consists of programmers, engineers, designers and other product developers. For this reason, the partnership with the Directorate of Roads has strategic significance for the further development of the country’s energy and sustainable technologies.

Author of the message photo/Inbalance grid manager Simonas Stankus

“And business leaders, the public sector and other real estate managers trust us because we are primarily developers of technology rather than infrastructure. Our team of experienced engineers develops equipment and software solutions that ensure convenient and fast installation, management, development and integration of stations with various systems for businesses, and a smooth experience and service for drivers. The business trusts that we monitor the market and implement rational, data-based, innovative solutions, so they want to be part of our vision,” says S. Stankus.

This year, Inbalance grid plans not only active further development in Lithuania and the Baltic countries, but also in Central Europe.

Changes for drivers

“Via Lietuva” announced the tender to operate 27 stations equipped with EU funds at the end of the 5-year obligation to provide services at them free of charge. The Directorate of Roads also sought to create equal competitive conditions for businesses to install public charging stations near national roads and to improve the quality of the service.

According to S. Stankaus, this change will create a new generation of experience for drivers: the ability to start charging and, if necessary, pay via the Inbalance grid mobile app, real-time status and occupancy information of stops, visibility of stops on Google Maps, Apple Maps, the most popular GPS in maps of navigation systems, as well as in multimedia systems of Volkswagen, Škoda, Audi, Polestar, KIA, Hyundai or other car manufacturers. From now on, road management stops are included in route planning for Lithuanian and foreign travelers – Inbalance grid is the only one in the region to offer this functionality to its partners.

In accordance with Via Lietuva’s commitments and contracts, Inbalance grid stations started operating on March 25. At the moment, while the technical works of infrastructure transfer and preparation for charging the service provided by the Road Directorate and collecting funds for the state budget are underway, the possibility of free charging of electric cars is still valid at these state stations.

Apie „Inbalance grid“

Inbalance grid is a manufacturer and developer of smart charging equipment for electric cars, as well as an operator of its own charging network. Among the company’s clients and partners are such businesses as IKI, Maxima, Lietuvos draudimas, Unipark, Citybee, Domus Pro, Akropoliai in Klaipėda and Riga, Krasta Auto, Porsche, Eika ”, Darnu Group, Newsec, Avia Solutions Group, Hilton, Ozas, Ryo, Business Centers Artery, Flow, Link, etc. “Inbalance grid” also cooperates with public sector clients – Turto banka, “Via Lietuva”, Lithuanian public order and security services, several ministries of the Republic of Lithuania and their subordinate institutions, the company has also built charging stations in Lithuanian embassies abroad.