Albina Iljasov. Foto: XCharge

eMove360° Women-In-Tech-Interview with Albina Iljasov, Head of Europe at XCharge: I want to play an active role in shaping the mobility of the future

In our Women in Tech series, we introduce inspiring women who have gained a foothold in the automotive industry, this time focussing on Albina Iljasov. Iljasov is Head of Europe at XCHARGE Europe GmbH and is responsible for business development and sales in Europe. In an interview for the current issue of eMove360° magazine in german language, we find out what makes her job so exciting, what challenges she faces and what visions she is pursuing.

Mrs Iljasov, it’s nice of you to take the time for eMove360°. Sustainability and emobility are topics that have been with you for several years. Please briefly outline the stages of your career.

Albina Iljasov: Sustainability was already a central focus during my studies. I was an early believer in the transition to renewable energies, which made the move into electromobility a perfect match for me.

In 2015, I had the opportunity to work at the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Beijing. There, I worked intensively on the future of electromobility and the role of the German automotive industry in China. This experience not only gave me an insight into the international market, but also strengthened my conviction that sustainable technologies are the key to the energy transition.

Back in Europe, I worked in sales and business development, building up in-depth market knowledge. Today, my focus at XCharge Europe is on driving innovative charging infrastructure solutions such as our Net Zero Series. My goal is to establish XCharge as the market leader in the EV charging industry in Europe while actively contributing to the energy transition through technological advancements.

What social aspects have influenced your decisions to pursue such a career path?

Ilyasov: My decisions were strongly influenced by social developments, particularly the growing awareness of climate change and the urgent need to drive forward sustainable solutions. I wanted to play an active role in this transformation and help shape the mobility of the future.

It was crucial for me to find a professional role in which I could not only drive innovative technologies, but also make a positive contribution to society. Electromobility offers precisely this opportunity: it combines technological advances with direct benefits for the environment and people, be it through cleaner air, reduced CO₂ emissions or the promotion of renewable energies. This combination of innovation and responsibility motivates me every day.

How would you describe your day-to-day work?

Iljasov: My day-to-day work is incredibly varied and characterised by the responsibility to further develop XCharge in Europe. No two days are the same, as I take on both strategic and operational tasks.

A large part of my time is spent working with my team to develop and implement growth strategies. This includes market analyses, identifying new business opportunities and developing customised solutions for our customers. At the same time, personal dialogue with partners and customers is very important to me, as building long-term relationships is essential in our industry.

I also work intensively on optimising internal processes, be it in product development, sales or logistics, to ensure that we achieve our goals efficiently and sustainably. My day-to-day work combines strategic thinking with practical decisions – and it is precisely this mix that makes my work so exciting.

What fascinates you about your job? Why XCHARGE?

Iljasov: What particularly fascinates me about my job is the opportunity to play an active role in the mobility of the future. Electromobility combines technological innovation with a clear social benefit, and it is precisely this interface that excites me.

XCharge convinced me because the company is doing real pioneering work with solutions such as the Net Zero Series. This fast charging station with integrated battery storage enables ultra-fast charging, even when grid capacity is limited, and is an important step towards a sustainable charging infrastructure.

I also appreciate the international focus and the collaboration in a dedicated diverse team that works passionately every day to implement sustainable and customer-centred solutions.

What are your biggest challenges?

Iljasov: The European market for electromobility is very dynamic and characterised by different requirements in the individual countries, be it regulatory framework conditions, grid capacities or individual customer needs. It takes a lot of strategic planning and flexibility to cater to this diversity and achieve our ambitious goals at the same time.

Another important point is to position our technological innovations, such as the Net Zero Series, in the market in a targeted manner. This fast charging station with integrated battery storage is a ground-breaking solution, but intensive educational work is required to convince partners and customers of the benefits and establish long-term partnerships.

In addition, scaling our business while simultaneously controlling costs is an ongoing task. We need to continuously optimise operational processes without compromising on quality and service.

What is the status of the European expansion of the charging infrastructure?

Iljasov: The expansion of the charging infrastructure in Europe is progressing: at the end of 2023, over 600,000 publicly accessible charging points had been installed, more than 60 per cent of them in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Nevertheless, the distribution remains uneven and there is a lack of fast-charging stations along major transport routes.

The EU has set a target of providing public charging points every 60 kilometres along major roads by 2030 at the latest. These measures are crucial to boost confidence in electromobility and promote the transition to sustainable mobility.

XCharge is actively helping to drive this change by developing and implementing sustainable and innovative charging infrastructure solutions.

What are the country-specific requirements?

Iljasov: The requirements for charging infrastructure vary greatly from country to country in Europe. In Germany, the focus is on compliance with calibration law requirements, which ensure transparency and consumer protection when it comes to billing. France follows a similar model, but with somewhat simplified certification requirements. In Scandinavia, the focus is on sustainability and the integration of renewable energies, which must be taken into account when planning and implementing charging infrastructure.

In addition, different weather conditions must be taken into account. In the Nordics, extreme cold and snow place high demands on the reliability of charging stations. In coastal regions or areas with high humidity, such as on the water, protection against salt and corrosion is crucial, while in southern countries, heat resistance and handling dust play a role.

Grid capacities also vary: Some countries struggle with restrictions that make it difficult to install high-power charging stations, while others offer targeted subsidies. XCharge adapts to these country-specific requirements by developing solutions that take into account local regulations as well as climatic and infrastructural conditions.

What is your vision as Head of Europe at XCHARGE?

Iljasov: As Head of Europe at XCharge, my vision is to establish the company as a leading provider of innovative charging infrastructure solutions in Europe and thus actively contribute to the energy transition. Electromobility is a key building block for a sustainable future, and I see it as our responsibility to help shape this transformation.

Our commitment to Europe is reflected in the development of EU-specific products that meet the highest market requirements, such as obtaining calibration law certification. To be even closer to our customers’ needs, we set up a test laboratory in Madrid together with SGS in 2023 and opened our new R&D centre in Hamburg in October. At the same time, we are strengthening our local presence by prioritising European suppliers and integrating the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions into our supply chain.

My goal is to further establish XCharge as a driving force in electromobility and to help our customers and partners to make the charging infrastructure of the future efficient, sustainable and scalable.

How do you charge your batteries privately?

Iljasov: I recharge my batteries primarily through outdoor activities. I spend a lot of time in the mountains – hiking in summer and snowboarding in winter. Two places in particular give me a lot of inner peace: high up on a mountain at over 2,000 metres or 20 metres underwater while diving.

Spending time with family and friends is also very important to me. These moments give me strength and balance. I generally lead an active lifestyle, which helps me to recharge my batteries and clear my head.

Thank you very much for the interview.

You can read more exciting reports and interviews on the subject of electromobility & autonomous driving in the current eMove360° magazine in german language. Download for free or order the print version at sabine.metzger@emove360.com