Charging network in Italy: state of the art

The evolution of the electric vehicle charging network in Italy has undergone significant development in recent years, reflecting an increasing commitment to promoting sustainable mobility in the country. In fact, the most recent data, updated to December 31, 2023 (Motus-E Report), reflect a constantly evolving landscape, characterized by significant progress in the development of the charging infrastructure in Italy.

 

Growth of charging points in Italy

One of the key indicators of this progress is the number of public charging points, which has exponentially increased. In Italy, according to Motus-E data updated to December 2023, the number of public charging points has passed the 50,000 mark, an increase of 38% over the previous year: an important sign of growth and a network that already allows e-drivers to recharge during their daily travels and commutes.

 

Power and Speed: two key elements

In addition to diffusion, network development in Italy is also based on the quality and efficiency of charging points. During 2023, more than 3,000 new DC charging points were installed, including about 1,400 ultra-fast ones. This trend indicates a clear commitment of the Charging Point Operators (CPOs)-such as Ewiva-to faster, higher-performance charging solutions, which are key to eliminating barriers related to range anxiety and providing a more comfortable and accessible experience for all e-drivers.

 

Geographical distribution and in cities

The geographical distribution of charging points plays a crucial role in the overall effectiveness of the network. In terms of the number of charging points, Rome (3,588 charging points), Milan (2,883) and Naples (2,652) lead the ranking but, in the last year, a more uniform development can be observed throughout the national territory: looking at the distribution by macro-areas, in fact, the recovery of installations in the South and Islands continues, where 23% of the total number of charging points present in the Peninsula is now concentrated, compared to 19% in the Center and 58% in Northern Italy. If we consider the number of charging points per km² of surface area, moreover, we can see that the ranking reverses, placing Naples in the lead with 225 points per 100 km², followed by Milan (183 points per 100 km²) and Rome (67 points per 100 km²). A widespread and capillary charging network is a key element to ensure along the whole country to fully benefit from the transition to electric mobility.

 

Italy in the European context

At the European level, Italy stands out as a major player in the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, firmly placing itself among the top 5 countries in Europe in terms of network extension thanks to more than 50,000 installed charging points. However, what makes Italy even more competitive is its density of charging points relative to the number of electric vehicles in circulation, surpassing other countries such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom. This superiority translates into greater accessibility to charging, making it easier for EV drivers to find available charging points and reducing waiting times.

 

Future prospects and challenges ahead

Despite the significant progress made, there are still many challenges ahead for the electric mobility sector. A more even distribution of charging points throughout the country remains an important goal to achieve, as does increasing electric vehicle registrations to ensure more widespread use of the network. In addition, it is essential to continue investing in advanced and sustainable charging technologies to meet the growing needs and varied usage occasions of e-drivers.

 

Italy is distinguishing itself as a pioneer in the electrification of transportation, leading the transition to more sustainable and efficient mobility. Ewiva’s commitment to activating high-powered charging points in the most strategic places in our country, from North to South, – both in urban areas and along the main routes and extra-urban areas – contributes concretely to the achievement of these results, earning Italy a place among the European countries that are leading the development of electric mobility.

Ewiva: closes 2023 with more than 330 high-power charging stations built throughout Italy

More than 1,150 charging points have been installed from northern to southern Italy. For 2024, a greater offer in terms of solutions, the introduction of new technologies, an increase in the capillarization of the network in the most strategic areas and an increase in the power of the new infrastructure is planned.

 

Milano, 19 March 2024 – Accelerating the transition to electric mobility by developing nationwide ultra-fast and affordable High Power Charging (HPC) infrastructure. It is by constantly pursuing this goal that Ewiva, a joint venture of Enel X and Volkswagen Group, continues its growth path to reach 3,000 charging points at more than 750 sites throughout Italy.

 

Ewiva’s 2024: goals and strategy
Since the inauguration of the first “Premium” site at Via Flaminia 871 in Rome in December 2022 at its official launch, Ewiva has contributed to the energy transition of our country and intends to continue with the widespread extension of the high-power network, focusing on the most strategic areas, with high demand for mobility and located near services and points of interest for e-drivers. The efforts of the Charging Point Operator (CPO) will also be directed to the careful analysis of the electric mobility market trend, with the aim of modulating its activities to promptly accommodate its needs, under the banner of total flexibility.

 

To ensure maximum versatility for both the partners who will host the stations and the e-drivers who will use them, Ewiva will engage on:

  • expansion of the variety of solutions offered, with the installation of some “hybrid” charging stations, i.e., equipped with columns capable of delivering power even at powers up to 400 kW, always ensuring ultra-fast charging;
  • realization of multi-column sites, equipped with innovative systems capable of simplifying the action of charging;
  • introduction of new technologies, including innovative columns with storage systems to ensure high-power charging even where it would not be technically possible;
  • increased use of shelters equipped with photovoltaic panels to make the charging experience more comfortable by contributing to renewable energy production;
  • adoption of increasingly advanced infrastructure usage data monitoring and analysis systems to improve network performance and to develop Ewiva’s presence in the territory in line with the mobility needs of e-drivers;
  • extension of the number of Mobility Service Providers enabled to the Ewiva network (to date already about 70).

 

Ewiva’s achievements to 2023
With more than 330 sites, for a total of more than 1,150 recharging points installed, Ewiva is now present in all Italian regions and is one of the leading players in the country’s electric mobility scene. Since the company’s launch, more than 550,000 recharges have been made, enabling all e-drivers to travel more than 100 million kilometers, a distance equal to about 2,500 times the circumference of the Earth.

 

These are important numbers that reflect a concrete benefit to the environment. In fact, through December 2023, recharges made at Ewiva’s columns have avoided the emission of:

  • more than 12,000 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to the planting of 650,000 trees;
  • 800 kg of particulate matter;
  • nearly 30 tons of nitrogen oxides.

A benefit in terms of noise pollution as well: an amount of noise equal to that produced by more than 20,000 cars with endothermic engines was avoided.

 

Freedom to travel electric: the innovations introduced by Ewiva
Over the past year, Ewiva has initiated a series of projects that lead the way for the evolution of the electric charging network in Italy. These include the introduction on all its charging stations of Plug&Charge, the feature that allows the charging station to communicate directly with the passenger car and immediately start charging, without the need to authenticate through apps or cards. 2023 was also the year of the partnership with &Charge, the platform that-thanks to the involvement of e-drivers-enables Ewiva to collect feedback on the charging experience and improve the quality of the service offered, which already guarantees a 99 percent reliability level across the entire network.

 

In addition, the CPO has implemented the ability to pay for refills directly at the charging station in contactless mode with the electronic payment instruments routinely used by customers. This important innovation, which to date affects more than 70 sites throughout Italy, about 300 recharging points, and will be further extended in 2024, makes it possible to meet the needs of the many occasional customers and those who are oriented toward pay-as-you-go recharging or all those who do not already have a subscription with a mobility service provider (MSP).

 

In 2023, Ewiva also completed the installation and activation of the High Power Charging sites, with a capacity of 150kW each and located along the Ten-T (Trans-European Transport Network), envisaged by the European Miliar-E project, in line with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).

 

Says Federico Caleno, CEO of Ewiva: “The milestones we have achieved represent a starting point that pushes us to commit further to an increasingly sustainable and affordable mobility. We want to continue to be enablers of electric mobility in Italy, and the many collaborations we have already started with Local Administrations and private partners (e.g., from the large-scale retail sector, Ho.Re.Ca or retail more generally) from North to South, stimulate us to move forward.”

 

“Not only that. – continues Caleno – For the new year, we foresee an increase in the power of the infrastructure park, with the aim of enabling charging also to new models of electric cars capable of accepting higher and higher levels of charging power and consistent with the requirements of the European funding obtained. Innovative solutions, versatility and ubiquity are the indispensable factors we focus on, to make users increasingly satisfied with having chosen electric.”

Ewiva Everywhere: 2024 first new activations

An electrifying 2024! Ewiva started the new year by adding 24 new charging points to its ultra-fast network.

 

Ewiva’s charging network continues to grow in 2024: 8 new ultra-fast charging stations have been activated since the beginning of the new year, distributed in 5 different regions of Italy, for a total of 24 high-power charging points.

 

Ewiva aims to meet the needs of all e-drivers travelling in Italy by providing a widespread, accessible and efficient high-power charging network, targeting large shopping centers, areas of tourist interest and shopping areas full of restaurants and services.

 

All new activations:

 

Abruzzo
– Montesilvano (PE) – Centro commerciale Porto Allegro

 

Lazio
– Roma (RM) – Parco dei Medici

 

Liguria
– La Spezia (SP) – Porto Lotti

 

Lombardia
– Verolanuova (BS) – Mc Donald’s
– Trescore Balneario (BG) – Mc Donald’s
– Merate (LC)

 

Piemonte
– Borgomanero (NO) – Mc Donald’s
– San Giusto Canavese (TO)