Daniel Pérez is the CEO and Founder of Zunder, which is building an ultra-fast EV charging network across Spain and much of Southern Europe. We spoke to Daniel to find out more about Zunder, as well as his thoughts on the future of the public charging industry.
What led you to found Zunder back in 2017?
Zunder was founded in 2017 with a clear vision: to make electric mobility simple, reliable and accessible for everyone. At that time, Spain lacked both a robust public charging network and the digital tools needed to operate it efficiently.
From the very beginning, Zunder combined the deployment of high-power charging infrastructure with the development of its own software for the management and real- time monitoring of charging stations. This dual focus – hardware and software – allowed us to ensure reliability, optimise performance and place the user at the centre of the experience. What started as a response to a market gap quickly became a long-term commitment to building the foundations of electric mobility.
There’s increasing discussion around profitability in public charging. What needs to change to ensure all fast-charging networks can become sustainably profitable across Europe?
Public fast and ultra-fast charging is moving steadily towards sustainable profitability as the market matures. As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow across Europe, utilisation rates are naturally increasing, strengthening the business case for high-quality charging infrastructure.
At the same time, greater regulatory alignment, faster permitting processes and improved access to competitive energy are helping create a more supportive environment for operators. Combined with efficient operations, reliable technology and a strong focus on user experience, these factors are enabling fast-charging networks to scale in a healthy and sustainable way. The sector is clearly entering a phase of consolidation and long-term value creation.
How do partnerships with OEMs, fleet operators, and energy providers factor into Zunder’s long-term growth?
Partnerships are central to Zunder’s long-term growth because they strengthen both trust and consistency across the charging experience. Working closely with OEMs helps ensure our ultra-fast charging network evolves in step with the latest vehicle and charging requirements, so drivers can rely on strong performance and a seamless experience. That alignment also reinforces brand trust: when leading automotive brands choose to work with Zunder, it gives users additional confidence that they are charging on a network built to the highest standards.
Equally, partnerships with fleet operators allow us to design solutions that match real operational needs – from predictable availability and reliability to scalable rollouts across key routes. Meanwhile, collaboration with energy providers supports long-term efficiency and resilience, helping us optimise energy supply and reinforce the reliability users expect. Together, these partnerships enable Zunder to scale sustainably while keeping the end user at the centre of every decision.
What lessons has Zunder learned from expanding beyond Spain into other European markets, and how do local conditions shape your rollout strategy?
Expanding into other European markets has been an extremely valuable learning experience. One of the key insights is the importance of understanding and embracing local specificities, from regulation and energy systems to mobility habits and user expectations.
Zunder’s approach combines a strong, consistent European vision with flexible local execution. By adapting our rollout strategy to each market while maintaining the same quality standards, we are able to grow in a sustainable, structured and scalable way across Europe.
Where do you see Zunder as a company in five years time?
In five years’ time, Zunder will be firmly established as one of Europe’s leading ultra-fast charging operators. The company will continue to expand its network, enhance its digital capabilities and further improve the charging experience for both private and professional users.
Zunder will also play a growing role in the electrification of heavy-duty transport, supporting logistics, public transport and commercial fleets with reliable, high-power charging solutions. Innovation, operational excellence and user trust will remain at the core of the company’s evolution.
How fast do you see megawatt charging technology growing within Europe’s public charging sector?
Megawatt charging is set to become a key pillar of Europe’s electric mobility ecosystem. As electric trucks and buses gain momentum, demand for high-capacity, efficient charging solutions will continue to grow at a steady and predictable pace.
Zunder is actively preparing for this next phase, integrating megawatt charging into its long-term strategy. In the coming years, this technology will increasingly support heavy- duty transport along major corridors and logistics hubs, enabling a faster and more efficient transition to zero-emission transport.
Thanks to Daniel for taking part in our interview series. You can find out more about Zunder, here.
