For the Green Women’s Network of RES Serbia, Zorana Đorić, Director of Vozim na struju, reveals how the initiative grew out of decades of experience of the company PANE AG in alternative fuels and evolved into a platform shaping the future of sustainable mobility. Through projects such as smart parking in Herceg Novi, educational programs of the Green Drive Academy, and sectoral cooperation, Vozim na struju demonstrates that electromobility is not just technology, but an entire ecosystem of knowledge, infrastructure, and collaboration. Her story contributes to the mission of the Green Women’s Network – to highlight the role of women in energy and inspire new generations to engage in the sustainable transition.
What inspired you to launch Vozim na struju and how did the idea evolve from the initial vision to today’s format?
– Vozim na struju was born out of the desire to be part of the changes that reshape the way we think about mobility, energy, and the environment. Our story actually begins with the company PANE AG, which has been working in the field of alternative and environmentally friendly fuels for more than 20 years, so the transition to electromobility was a natural continuation of our development.
When we started working more seriously with electric vehicles a few years ago, the market in the region was still at its very beginning. We realized then that electromobility is not just about selling or servicing vehicles, but about building an entirely new ecosystem that requires infrastructure, education, safety procedures, and connecting different sectors.
That is why today we are much more than a company dealing with electric vehicles. We organize professional conferences and forums, participate in trainings, develop sustainable mobility projects, and work on connecting the private sector, institutions, and the professional public. Our goal is to help the region be ready for the transition to sustainable mobility.
Could you present some of your projects, such as smart parking in Herceg Novi? How does it work, what benefits does it bring to citizens, and how does it fit into the broader story of sustainable mobility?
– One of the projects we are particularly proud of was implemented in cooperation with Parking Servis Herceg Novi and represents a very good example of how sustainable mobility can concretely improve the functioning of a tourist city.
Before the project, delivery vehicles in the pedestrian zone were practically “stacked” on top of each other, especially during the tourist season. A large number of vans, without regulated schedules or control systems, directly disrupted the appearance and reputation of one of the most beautiful coastal areas, while also endangering the safety of citizens and tourists. Vehicles with internal combustion engines additionally created congestion, noise, and exhaust emissions in a space meant for pedestrians.
Today the situation is completely different. The project introduced retractable bollards and controlled access to the zone, making entry for conventional delivery vehicles practically impossible. Deliveries are now carried out with electric vehicles, while goods are organized through a cross-dock transfer system. The entire process is monitored by an integrated software system tailored to the zone’s needs, enabling precise management of logistics, access, and delivery times.
This achieved several goals simultaneously — reduced congestion and emissions, increased safety, improved the appearance of the pedestrian zone, and enabled a much better experience for tourists in the city center.
What is especially important is that expanding this concept to a wider pedestrian area of Herceg Novi is already being considered, showing that sustainable mobility is no longer just a future idea, but a concrete and applicable solution for cities in the region.
What are the biggest challenges in developing electric vehicle infrastructure in Serbia and the region?
– The biggest challenge today is no longer just the availability of electric vehicles, but the development of a complete system to support their everyday use. That is why Vozim na struju recognized from the very beginning that electromobility is not only a technological issue, but above all a matter of safety, education, and infrastructure.
Through Green Drive Academy, we launched various training and professional programs, because we believe that the transition to sustainable mobility cannot be based only on buying vehicles and building infrastructure, but primarily on knowledge and safety.
We therefore initiated different educational programs — from training drivers, service technicians, and inspection centers, to training fire and rescue units, insurance companies, and all systems that must be ready for the transition to electric mobility. We believe that educating all participants in the mobility system will be one of the key factors for a successful transition in the coming years.
When it comes to infrastructure, Serbia has already made serious progress. We have an operator who has installed about 100 fast chargers across the country, which is a significant step forward. However, the real question is whether this will meet long-term user needs, especially during the tourist season and on transit routes where heavy loads occur.
Another often overlooked segment is citizens who want to switch to electric vehicles but live in apartment buildings without garages or the possibility of home charging. That is why the future of infrastructure does not only mean highways and fast chargers, but also urban solutions: public chargers in neighborhoods, smart parking systems, and integrating infrastructure into everyday life.
Electromobility is no longer a question of the future — it has already begun. The question is only how quickly we will develop systems that can support this growth safely and sustainably.
How do you see the future of mobility in the region? Can electric cars become the dominant form of transport in the next decade?
– I believe the process has already started, and it is no longer a question of whether the transition will happen, but how quickly we will adapt to it. Electric cars will certainly play a dominant role in urban areas, especially through fleet vehicles, public transport, and delivery systems.
However, the future of mobility will not be based only on electric cars. We are talking about connected, digitalized, and sustainable mobility — where smart traffic management systems, micromobility, energy efficiency, and integration of different modes of transport will play an important role.
The region has the potential to make a big leap, but only if the economy, institutions, and education sector work together. We are not just building a market for electric vehicles today, but an entirely new model of mobility.
How does the global oil crisis affect interest in electric vehicles, and does it accelerate the transition to sustainable solutions?
– The global energy crisis certainly accelerates interest in electric vehicles, but I think the more important question today is how we as a society will organize a sustainable transition. To make a serious leap, much stronger cooperation between state institutions, the private sector, and the education system is necessary.
Savings are indeed one of the key factors when deciding to switch to electric vehicles, but education is what enables users to understand how they can further optimize costs. It is very important to choose a vehicle according to real user needs, because that is when savings become most effective and profitable in the long run.
For companies and fleets, charging optimization systems can be a key factor in energy independence and bring significantly greater savings. Managing charging times, energy consumption, and infrastructure capacity becomes just as important as the vehicle itself.
Including the energy aspect through renewable sources opens additional opportunities for sustainability and cost-effectiveness, but it is crucial that every investment is based on clear calculations and good planning.
And what we often forget to say — our market has enough experts who can respond to all the challenges of electromobility. We may not have the numbers of large European countries, but in terms of knowledge, expertise, and capabilities, we are not lagging behind either the region or Europe.
How important is it for women to be active participants in the development of sustainable mobility? What is the relationship between women and men in this field?
– Sustainable mobility is the field of the future, and that is why it is important that its development involves different perspectives, knowledge, and experiences. Women today play an increasingly significant role in energy, mobility, technology, and sustainable development, and I believe this influence will only grow.
For a long time, the automotive industry and transport were predominantly “male” fields, but electromobility brings a completely new dynamic. Today, management, digitalization, sustainable development, communication, education, and strategic planning are equally important — areas where women make an exceptionally large contribution.
It is important to show younger generations that sustainable mobility is not just about the car industry, but a space for innovation, knowledge, and new opportunities for everyone.
How do you imagine the cities of the future in terms of mobility? Will smart parking, electric cars, and digitalization become the standard?
– Absolutely. The cities of the future will be organized around efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. Smart parking, digital traffic management, electric public transport, and integrated mobility systems will become the standard, not an optional extra.
The essence is not just to have more electric vehicles, but to have cities less burdened by congestion, noise, and pollution. Technology will enable mobility to be planned in real time — from parking availability to energy consumption optimization and traffic management.
Projects like smart parking in Herceg Novi show how technology can directly improve citizens’ everyday lives, reduce unnecessary vehicle circulation, and contribute to more sustainable city functioning. I believe that connecting mobility, energy, and digitalization will define the next decade of urban development.
