Daniel Pérez, CEO and cofounder of Zunder, now leads the Asociación de Operadores de Recarga Ultrarrápida (AORU) as Spain’s ultra-fast charging rollout stalls over grid connection delays. Rows of chargers sit unused across the country: the hardware is ready, but the power isn’t flowing. Pérez says slow-moving bureaucracy and electricity distributors are holding up progress.
New stations keep appearing, but many cannot serve drivers because they are still waiting for grid connections. Pérez wants strict, enforceable deadlines for distributors, backed by real penalties for delays. “Our priority during this Presidency is to reverse this situation for the benefit of companies and users, establishing maximum and binding deadlines for distributors, and backed by a real sanctioning regime,” he says. Investors need certainty, and the gap between installation and operation must shrink fast.
Industry reports say that, as of Q2 2026, nearly a quarter of Spain’s public charging points, 17,821 out of 74,503, remained non-operational because of administrative and grid connection delays.
Launched in 2024, AORU brings together Allego, Atlante, Electra, Engie, Fastned, Powerdot, Tesla and Zunder. The group represents the sector in talks with public officials and works within basic forums at the IDAE and the Plan Auto 2030, where Spain’s electric future is being decided.
The problems extend beyond connecting new hardware. AORU is also criticizing delays to public subsidies and a confusing incentive system that groups plug-in hybrids with fully electric vehicles. The association says tax rules need an overhaul, particularly for company cars, a basic market for electric growth. Many private buyers are still waiting for government support to arrive.
Pressure is building as heavy transport moves toward electrification. AORU warns that trucks will need ultra-fast charging, too. Spain needs a strong, reliable network along its basic roads, but paperwork continues to delay progress. CNMC and sector analyses say commissioning new ultra-fast charging stations can take up to two years, with administrative approvals often exceeding the regulated timeframes for grid operators.
Pérez has six months at the top and faces a sector at a turning point. He must speed up connections and push for new rules, while advancing tax changes and preparing Spain’s grid for the next wave of electric vehicles. Recent moves to tighten road safety laws, as reported earlier, show Spain is rethinking how it handles mobility and infrastructure.
Chargers without power are worthless. If the government and distributors ignore AORU’s call for strict deadlines and real penalties, Spain could waste its early investments and the shift to clean transport could stall. Pérez’s six-month term will put the focus on whether Spain can turn plans into action or remains stuck at the charger.
