Italy: First EV charging station on motorway network

The 50 kW fast recharge station was installed along the Turin-Milan A4 motorway - the first of five that will be installed at other Q8 service areas.

Enel X installed and activated at Q8’s Rho Sud service area the first charging station on the Italian motorway network. Following the signing of the agreement between Enel X and Q8, drivers can travel between Turin and Milan with their electric cars without having to exit the motorway to recharge their vehicles.

The agreement also provides for the installation of four additional 50kW charging stations at as many Q8 service stations. In addition to the one installed in Rho Sud, a station has also been activated at the Q8 service station in Viale Alcide De Gasperi in Milan. The others will be installed and activated in the next few months at the service stations of Marcon (Venice), Carugate and Cinisello Balsamo (Milan).

“Anyone driving an electric car can use the same charging procedures, with the same contractual conditions, at all other charging infrastructures. Our commitment to the challenge to make electric mobility a reality not just for a few enthusiasts but for everyone continues”, said Head of Enel X, Francesco Venturini.

“Among other things, the strategy is taking shape in the form of a major investment plan to ensure the supply of both electric vehicles and vehicles powered by alternative fuels on our distribution network to meet the diversified needs of our customers”, commented Director of Business Development at Kuwait Petroleum Italia SpA, Alessandro Lietti.

EVs charging stations on the rise in Italy

To date, the EVA+ network already has 100 fast recharge stations in operation, a number that will rise to a total of 200 by mid-2019, with 180 in Italy and another 20 in Austria. The programme, which is co-financed by the European Commission as part of the “Connecting Europe Facility”, involves Enel, as coordinator, and Verbund (the main Austrian utility), together with some of the leading manufacturers of electric vehicles in the world, such as Renault, Nissan, BMW Group and Volkswagen Group Italia (represented by the Volkswagen and Audi brands).