Italy accelerates progress on electric vehicles along the motorways
Expansion of Italy's Electric Charging Infrastructure
Italy's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is undergoing a significant expansion, with a focus on highways and urban areas, particularly in the northern and central regions. This development is a key factor in the country's strategic challenge to boost its competitiveness and strengthen its transition to e-mobility.
According to data from June 2025, 85% of fast charging points on Italian highways are direct current (DC), a testament to the country's commitment to high-capacity charging networks. This growth has confirmed a 31.5% increase compared to 2023, indicating a strong commitment from sector operators, supported by private investments and the potential of PNRR funds.
One of the major players driving this expansion is Ewiva, a joint venture of Enel X and Volkswagen Group. In the first half of 2025, Ewiva activated 52 new high-power charging stations, adding nearly 210 charging points nationwide. These stations are strategically located, with extensive coverage in the northern regions (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Valle d’Aosta) and more limited but strategic additions in Central Italy (Lazio, Tuscany) and the South (Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata) [1]. New stations have also appeared in Sardinia and Sicily islands.
The focus on highways and main commuter routes suggests improved infrastructure coverage, facilitating longer EV trips and supporting tourism and daily commuters. Efforts are also being made to address the comparative lack of charging stations in southern Italy and islands, with companies like Ewiva deploying charging stations in underserved areas.
Another company, chargecloud, has launched a Milan-based subsidiary offering scalable software solutions to manage and operate Italy’s growing and increasingly complex charging networks. This will help integrate infrastructure across regions and providers, improving coverage and supporting the national transition to e-mobility [3].
National efforts are supported by policies fueling e-mobility growth, including large tenders for electric buses (totaling €650 million), which indirectly encourage charging infrastructure development for public transport fleets [2].
Despite progress, Rome remains the province with the most charging points, with 5,644 points, ahead of Milan, Naples, Turin, and Brescia. By June 2025, the number of public charging points in Italy overall has increased by 67,561 compared to a year ago. As of June 2025, 41% of the additional charging points near highway exits in Italy have a power output above 150 kW [1].
Effective coordination between institutions and industry is needed to bridge the gap with more advanced European countries and ensure a widespread network even in underserved areas, like the South. The National Unified Platform (PUN), promoted by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), is seen as a key tool for monitoring and planning the charging network by Fabio Pressi, president of Motus-E. The PUN is expected to be fully exploited and placed at the center of the update of the National Infrastructure Plan for the Recharging of Electric Vehicles (PNIRE), which should become the regulatory reference point for the sector [1].
As of June 2025, 45% of highway service areas in Italy are equipped with charging infrastructure, with 62% of fast charging points on Italian highways having a power output above 150 kW [1]. As of June 2025, 59% of the additional charging points near highway exits in Italy are direct current (DC) [1]. In June 2025, 49 highway charging points in Italy are in the activation phase [1].
The number of public charging points in Italy on highways has reached 67,561 as of June 30, 2025, an increase of 10,569 units compared to a year ago and 1,569 in the second quarter alone [1]. Fabio Pressi, president of Motus-E, states that the Italian charging infrastructure continues to expand, particularly on highways, making electric travel increasingly practical and accessible.
The PNIRE should align with the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), which sets ambitious targets for the electrification of transport. As the charging infrastructure expands, Italy is moving closer to achieving its national energy transition goals and becoming a leader in e-mobility.
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- The growth in Italy's electric vehicle charging infrastructure has been impressive, with a 31.5% increase in fast charging points from 2023 to 2025, which indicates a significant investment in high-capacity technology by industry players like Ewiva and companies providing software solutions such as chargecloud.
- To ensure a widespread charging network and bridge the gap with more advanced European countries, effective coordination between institutions and industry is needed, as the National Unified Platform (PUN) promoted by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) will be essential in monitoring and planning the charging network for the expansion of e-mobility in Italy, particularly in underserved areas like the South.
