MAES Energy & Mobility CEO warns of slow electric transition

Gilbert van Rens, CEO of MAES Energy & Mobility, suggests that the transition to electric mobility in Europe is progressing more slowly than often assumed. He notes that significant shifts are still required within the SME sector, particularly regarding vans and heavy transport.

Van Rens highlights several challenges facing the transition, including the limited capacity of the electrical grid to support expanding charging infrastructure. He also warns of potential issues regarding the affordability of mobility, noting that as electric vehicles become more common, fossil fuels will not disappear immediately. There is a concern that rising costs could restrict access to work and social connections for a growing segment of the population.

MAES, which has evolved from a lubricant supplier into an energy and mobility provider, operates approximately 1,700 service stations in the Benelux region. To support the transition, the company has developed an e-mobility branch for managing charging stations and offers HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) at over 25 sites as a lower-emission bridge fuel. Through a partnership with Sparki, the company has also deployed nearly 80 ultra-fast chargers.