CMU enters the electric mobility sector and foresees 100 charging stations by 2027
The CMU Energia Group decided to expand its operations in the electrical sector and enter the electric mobility market through the creation of Watton, a company created with plans to install charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Minas Gerais.
The company projects initial investments of between R$7 million and R$10 million in the first 18 months of operation, a value that could reach R$70 million in the long term, as the market evolves.
The operation strategy will be supported by CMU Energia itself, which will provide energy through distributed generation and the free energy market. The investment comes at a time of growth in the country's electric vehicle fleet and expanding demand for charging infrastructure, especially outside large urban centers.
According to the CEO of CMU Energia, Walter Froes, Watton will adopt a business model aimed at the corporate segment (B2B), in which the company fully invests in engineering, infrastructure and equipment to install chargers in partner locations, such as gas stations, supermarkets and shopping centers. In return, property owners receive a share of the revenue generated by recharges.
The operation will begin in Minas Gerais, focusing on the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and the route to Ouro Preto. The first unit went into operation in early June.
The company intends to initially focus efforts on road corridors, considered strategic to increase drivers' confidence in the use of electric vehicles on longer distance trips.
"Electric stations on roads is a clear need. We are already placing them on the main arteries. The plan is that around 100 electrical stations will be installed by the end of 2027 with investments of around R$ 10 million", said Fróes in an interview with CNN.
According to the executive, Minas Gerais is showing growth in the share of electric vehicles, but the territorial size of the state and the limited supply of charging points still represent obstacles for long-distance travel. The company has already identified potential locations for installing equipment, mainly at gas stations.
"We have around 50 points mapped. They are gas stations and we are working on showing the owners the advantages, as customers will use the establishment's facilities, such as bathrooms, restaurants and convenience stores, in addition to being paid", he said.
According to him, the remuneration offered to partners is around 10% of the revenue obtained from top-ups. "The profit margins on fuel sales are very small. We can even offer a better margin," he added.
One of the main challenges for expanding the network, according to Froes, is the electrical capacity available in the chosen locations. As gas stations typically have low energy demand, installing fast chargers requires significant reinforcements in the electrical infrastructure. The responsibility for ensuring the necessary robustness of the network lies with local energy distributors.
Watton's strategy foresees two fronts of action. The first involves slow chargers, aimed at hotels and condominiums, where vehicles remain parked for longer periods. The second includes fast chargers, intended for urban hubs used by app drivers, shopping centers, supermarkets and highway stopping points.
In addition to the passenger vehicle market, the company intends to work on the electrification of corporate fleets, with a special focus on logistics operations and last-mile deliveries, a segment that has been registering an increase in demand for low-carbon mobility solutions.
Source: CNN