Charging Infrastructure: Where Are We in Italy?
Let's not forget that the growth of electric mobility is closely linked to the spread of charging infrastructure, which varies in charging power and, therefore, in electricity recharge times. Those intended for public charging are divided into:
- Public alternating current (AC) charging stations: These are often found in public parking lots, shopping centers, or along urban streets. They average power ranging from 22 to 43 kW and offer slower charging, suitable for extended stops. A vehicle with medium-capacity batteries (30-40 kWh) charged at one of these stations reaches 80% of its potential battery capacity in about 2 hours.
- Direct Current (DC) Fast and Ultrafast Stations: These are rapid (up to 100 kW) and ultra-rapid (over 100 kW) charging infrastructures, mainly located along highways or major roads. They allow you to charge your car very quickly, from 30 minutes to an hour, making them perfect for long journeys.
In recent years, the number of charging stations in Italy has increased significantly, doubling compared to 2022 with a share of more than 60,000 active points at the end of 2024. In particular, there is an excellent growth trend in DC fast charging points (+47% compared to December 2023), with the installation of 6,494 new DC infrastructures in 2024.
This evolution is in line with the decarbonization objectives of MASE (Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security), which include the installation of 21,000 new public charging infrastructures by 2025 throughout the country, especially in large cities. Italy is keeping pace with the rest of Europe, ranking fourth in terms of the prevalence of charging points relative to the current fleet of vehicles. Charging points are also well distributed across the national road network, allowing electric vehicle drivers to find a charging point every 4.2 km.
From 2024, all public charging stations in the country will be mapped by the National Single Platform (PUN), the MASE's dedicated institutional portal, for better access to the national electricity infrastructure network.
Electric mobility is constantly evolving, with growing expansion in urban centers thanks to Italian and European policies supporting the decarbonization of transport. Although there are still some obstacles along the way, such as the somewhat uneven distribution of charging infrastructure between urban and rural areas, the future looks to electric vehicles.