March 2025: Europe's EV Charging Networks Expand with Major CPO Investments

As spring arrives, Europe's EV charging infrastructure continues to grow, with significant developments across Northern, Central, and Southern Europe. The continent is making strides toward a greener, more connected future, from new ultra-rapid charging hubs to innovative payment solutions. Let's dive into the latest updates from Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and policymakers shaping the eMobility landscape.

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Northern Europe

UK – Fastned Boosts Northern Ireland's Fastest EV Charging Network  

Fastned has opened Northern Ireland's first 400 kW ultra-rapid charging hub in Banbridge, with a second hub set to launch in Antrim in March. The £3 million investment features 12 ultra-rapid bays, offering up to 100 miles of charge in just five minutes using 100% renewable energy. Fastned highlights grid connection delays as a key challenge for further expansion, calling for faster processes to support the UK's goal of 300,000 public chargers by 2030.

UK – Ionity Targets Company Car Fleets as Network Doubles in Size

Ionity has launched a new EV charge card, Ionity Fleet, offering discounted rates for business users. The card simplifies charging costs for fleets, with unique RFID cards providing tap-and-go access and aggregated monthly invoices. Rates can drop to as low as 43p/kWh, reducing per-mile energy costs significantly. Ionity is installing 500 additional chargers in the UK this year, more than doubling its current network of 379 chargers. The network's hubs feature 350 kW ultra-high-speed chargers powered by 100% renewable energy, supporting businesses' sustainability goals.

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UK – ChargePlace Scotland Joins Zap-Pay for Seamless EV Charging Payments  

ChargePlace Scotland has partnered with Zapmap to integrate its 2,800+ charge points into the Zap-Pay payment solution. EV drivers can now use the Zapmap app to pay for charging across the network, alongside tens of thousands of other locations. The partnership enhances accessibility and convenience, supporting Scotland's goal of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.

UK – Arnold Clark Installs 240 Ultra-Fast Charging Points  

Arnold Clark has launched its ultra-rapid charging network, Arnold Clark Charge, installing over 240 ultra-fast charging points across Scotland and England. The £30 million investment will see more than 500 chargers deployed at over 100 locations, offering 150 kW charging at 55p/kWh. The network is accessible via the Arnold Clark app, with bookable 24/7 charging slots.

UK – Wenea Aims to Be a Leading Rapid Charging Network in 2025  

Wenea is shifting its UK strategy to focus on high-power charging (HPC), aiming to increase its average charging power from 30 kW to at least 120-150 kW. The company plans to triple its charging points to 1,000 by the end of 2025 and reach 2,500 by 2027, targeting both public and private locations. Wenea emphasises user experience and competitive pricing to retain customers.

UK – InstaVolt Launches Solar-Powered Winchester Superhub  

InstaVolt has opened a sustainable EV charging hub in Winchester, featuring an 870-panel solar farm and battery storage systems. The site generates 500kW of solar energy, backed by 960kW/4MWh battery storage, ensuring reliable clean power. It switches to 100% renewable grid energy when needed, reducing grid reliance and costs. The hub supports affordable, sustainable EV charging, advancing the UK's clean energy transition. It officially launched on March 24, 2025.

UK – Monta & GridBeyond Use EV Charging to Stabilise Grid

Monta and GridBeyond have integrated 2,000 EV charge points into the UK's Static Firm Frequency Response (SFFR) programme using Monta's PowerBank feature. This innovative solution pauses charging during grid stress, preventing blackouts and rewarding users. The partnership highlights EV infrastructure's role in grid stability, with plans to add 1,500 more charge points, advancing a resilient and sustainable energy system.

UK – Milence Launches First Electric Truck Charging Hub in Immingham  

Milence has opened its first UK charging hub at Able Humber Port, featuring four CCS chargers and eight bays. Located near key motorways, it supports electric trucking and logistics. Milence plans to expand the hub and deploy 1,700 charging points across Europe and the UK by 2027, advancing sustainable transport.

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Central and Western Europe

Germany – Aral pulse Partners with Porsche for EV Charging  

Porsche has named Aral pulse as a preferred EV charging partner in Germany. Porsche Charging Service Plus customers will receive discounted rates at Aral pulse's network of 3,400 ultra-fast charge points across 500 sites.

Belgium – De Lijn Orders €24.2 Million in Charging Stations from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka  

De Lijn has placed a €24.2 million order with SPIE-Ekoenergetyka for 600 to 900 charging stations as part of a framework agreement to install up to 1,600 charging points over eight years. The stations, ranging from 50 to 180 kW, will support De Lijn's transition to emission-free public transport by 2035.

Austria – Go-e Expands across Europe and Launches New Products  

Go-e, an Austrian EV charging solutions provider, is expanding into Italy, France, the UK, and Denmark, with plans to enter at least two new markets in 2025. The company will launch a new fixed-installation charger in Q2 2025, targeting residential and commercial use, particularly for public tenders. Known for its smart, plug-and-play chargers, Go-e emphasises user-friendly features like surplus solar charging and flexible tariffs.

France – Milence Enables First Major Electric Freight Corridor from Barcelona to Lyon

Milence has established an electric freight corridor along the key Barcelona-Lyon route, with three hubs in Perpignan, Béziers, and Malataverne. These hubs, part of the Mediterranean Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), connect Spain and France, supporting the transition to electric trucks. Milence now operates five hubs in France, with four more under construction, advancing sustainable road transport across Europe.

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Southern Europe

Italy – Milence Launches First Italian Charging Hub in Bagnolo San Vito  

Milence, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, has opened its first Italian charging hub in Bagnolo San Vito, near Mantua. Located on the A22 Autostrada del Brennero, the hub features 400 kW CCS chargers, with plans to add megawatt charging capabilities. The site offers amenities for drivers and supports multiple payment methods, including eMSP cards and direct bank payments.

Italy – Fastned Arrives in Italy with New Charging Station at Truck Park Brescia Est

Fastned has opened its first Italian charging station at Truck Park Brescia Est, located on the A4 Brescia-Verona highway. The station features eight 400 kW chargers, offering up to 300 km of range in 20 minutes. This marks Fastned's entry into its eighth national market, with plans to expand further in Italy. The company advocates for long-term location agreements and a level playing field to accelerate Italy's transition to electric mobility. Fastned aims to open 1,000 stations across Europe by 2030.

Italy – Formigine to Expand EV Charging Network with 14 New Stations  

Formigine will install 14 new fast-charging stations, funded by the PNRR scheme and managed by Enel X Way Italia, along with three additional stations by FASTWAY. Each station will feature two charging points, increasing the city's total to 56. The project, supported by the Ministry of the Environment, aims to provide one charging point per 1,000 residents and is expected to be operational by December 31, 2025.

Portugal – Moeve Expands EV Charging Network to 11,000 Points  

Moeve has expanded its EV charging network in Portugal to 11,000 points, part of a broader network of 90,000 across Europe, through interoperability agreements with operators like Emovili, Ionity, and Powerdot. The network covers key locations such as fuel stations, car parks, and supermarkets, offering seamless access and secure payments.

Portugal – Powerdot and DCS Enhance EV Charging Accessibility

Powerdot has partnered with Digital Charging Solutions (DCS) to integrate its fast and ultra-fast charging stations into DCS's platform, which is used by major automotive brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo. This allows EV drivers in France, Belgium, Spain, and Poland to easily access Powerdot's network at locations like shopping centres and hotels. 

Spain – Aelēc Formula to Prevent Grid Bottlenecks in eMobility Transition  

Spain plans to invest €52 billion by 2030 to strengthen its electrical grid, but Marta Castro, Director of Regulation at aelēc, warns that regulatory stability and streamlined processes are essential to attract investment and avoid bottlenecks. Circular 1/2024, which introduces capacity maps and simplifies access procedures, aims to facilitate EV charging infrastructure development.

Iberian Peninsula – Iberdrola-bp pulse Installs 1,000 EV Charge Points  

Iberdrola-bp pulse, a 50:50 joint venture between Iberdrola and bp pulse, has installed over 1,000 EV charge points across Spain (855) and Portugal (148). More than 75% of these chargers offer 100kW or higher power, enabling EVs to reach 80% charge in about 20 minutes. The JV focuses on strategic locations in urban centres and key transport routes and aims to double its charging network by the end of 2025. Recognised by Electromaps users for boosting charging availability, the JV also plans to form alliances with car dealerships and other companies to expand coverage further.

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Policy and Regulatory Developments

EU Industrial Plan: Four Key Pillars Impacting eMobility  

The European Commission's Industrial Action Plan for the Automotive Sector focuses on four key areas to boost eMobility:  

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1. Fleet Electrification: Incentives for corporate and logistics fleets, toll exemptions for electric trucks, and regulations for converting diesel vehicles.  

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2. Charging Infrastructure: €570 million in AFIF funding will be used for fast-charging corridors and streamlined grid connection permits.  

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3. Battery Production: €3 billion for battery development, gigafactories, and recycling initiatives.  

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4. Market Regulations: Stricter rules on foreign investment, trade agreements, and measures against unfair practices. 

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The plan aims to strengthen Europe's position in the global eMobility market.

Europe – EU Funds 19 CPOs with €298 Million for HDV and LCV Charging

The European Union has allocated €298 million to 19 Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to deploy 4,757 charge points for electric Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) across Europe. This funding, part of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility 2 (AFIF 2), aims to boost zero-emission freight transport along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The project includes 2,761 charge points for LCVs and 1,996 for HDVs.

Looking Ahead  

With large-scale investments, policy shifts, and rapid network expansion, March 2025 marks another step forward in Europe's transition to electrified mobility. The next few months will be critical in shaping the EV infrastructure landscape, from Germany's ongoing partnerships to innovative microgrid solutions emerging across the UK.

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