Paz Sharma is the Managing Director for public charging network Allego’s UK operations. We spoke with Paz to find out more about how Allego is expanding its EV charging operations across both the UK and mainland Europe, and what’s in store for public EV charging in the future.
What led you to want to work in the EV sector?
It really began more than ten years ago when I was at RWE npower. A small group had been set up to explore what was, at the time, a completely new idea – electric mobility. There were no templates, no established suppliers, and no rulebook to follow.
I led the operational setup from scratch, and that challenge, creating something from the ground up that could genuinely make a difference, hooked me straight away.
I’ve always believed reliability builds trust, and trust drives change. Back then, EVs made up maybe 1% of new car sales in the UK. Now we’re past 20%, and it’s been incredible to watch that growth and the shift in public confidence
How do you see public EV charging evolving as we approach 2030?
A decade ago, the priority was getting people to make the switch to electric. Back then, it was all about adoption, encouraging drivers to try EVs and building enough EV charging sites so they felt confident to do so. It was very much a numbers game: how many chargers we could get on the ground, how visible they were, and how quickly we could grow the network.
Fast-forward to today, and we’re seeing a new transition. The focus has shifted from ‘quantity to quality’ where reliability, uptime, and user experience are becoming crucially more important. Drivers don’t just want to find a charger; they want to know it’ll work first time and that the process will be simple.
Public charging is becoming part of everyday life, whether you’re at the supermarket, the gym, or a retail park and that is exactly what we’ve been working towards. Looking ahead to 2030, it’s all about dependability and simplicity. Drivers want to plug in and carry on without thinking twice, and that’s the standard the industry should be aiming for.
Allego is already a well-known EV charging brand across Europe. What are your priorities for the UK market?
The UK is an incredibly exciting market for Allego. Over the past couple of years, we’ve focused on getting the fundamentals right, building a strong local team, putting robust governance in place, and making sure the standards we deliver here match the quality drivers expect from Allego across Europe.
Now, we’re moving into a scaling phase expanding our ultra-fast EV charging network but doing so responsibly. Collaboration is key. Working with landowners, local authorities, and partners ensures we’re delivering sites that are commercially sound and genuinely useful to drivers.
Ultimately, our aim is simple: whether a driver plugs in at an Allego charger in London, Lyon, or Amsterdam, they should have the same seamless experience, ‘one that just works.’
As more players enter the EV charging market, how important is it for charging brands to be visible?
Visibility is crucial but not just for marketing. It’s about reassurance. For new EV drivers, confidence is everything. You want to know where to charge, that the charger will work first time, and that paying will be simple. That’s why consistency across Europe is so important to us.
We’re also rolling out technologies like Plug & Charge, which simplify the process even further. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about making the experience effortless and familiar.
What will the public charging experience look like five years from now?
I think the best technology will almost disappear into the background. Charging won’t feel like an event, it’ll just happen. Plug & Charge will be standard, charging speeds will keep improving, and network uptime will be close to perfect. But the real progress will come from the integration of how vehicles, energy systems, and networks communicate with one another.
As renewable generation and smart charging evolve, drivers will be part of a much smarter, greener energy ecosystem often without even realising it.
And what about EVs themselves – how do you see them developing?
EVs are becoming digital ecosystems on wheels. They’re more connected than ever, to your phone, your home, and even the grid.
Over the next few years, we’ll see software take centre stage. Cars will become smarter, more intuitive, and the experience will feel effortless.
But for me, real success will be when electric driving stops feeling new or different. When people don’t think of their car as an EV anymore, it’s just ‘their car’. That’s when we’ll know the transition is complete.
Finally, what keeps you motivated in this industry?
It’s the people. The teams, engineers, and partners who make this infrastructure work every single day are what keep the transition moving.
My role is about bringing all those pieces together, people, technology, and operations, to make sure the network runs reliably, sustainably, and with purpose.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what drivers, communities, and investors all depend on: a network they can trust.
Thanks to Paz for taking part in our interview series. You can find out more about Allego, here.
