Free to X progresses Italy’s largest High Power Charging network

Free to X, the high power charging project by Autostrade per l’Italia Group (ASPI), has provided an update to electrive. Their DC ultra-rapid charging network, lining main highways in Italy, now operates 24 HPC hubs between Milan and Bari, with more under construction.

Established in May 2021, Free to X reportedly targets equipping 100 rest stops with ultra-fast charging by 2023 for a network covering a distance of 2,900 kilometres along Italy’s motorways. The targeted distance between HPC-equipped pit stops is around 50 kilometres, with four to eight DC charging points per site.

As for the HPC equipment, Free to X says it selected “several suppliers” through public tenders, calling for 300kW charging stations that ensure average charging times from 15 to 20 minutes.

The Autostrade subsidiary confirmed 24 active sites and 21 under construction in the update sent to electrive. The CPO also expects to be able to stay within schedule to expand the network to 100 hubs by the summer of next year by adding about 4 to 5 new charging stations each month.

The current active list includes rest stops along the A1 – Napoli-Roma motorway, A4 – Milano-Brescia, A9 – Milano-Como, A11 – Firenze-Mare, A12 – Genova-Rosignano, A14 – Ancona-Pescara, A16 – Napoli-Canosa, and A27 – Venezia-Belluno; essentially spanning the entire country North to South.

The earmarked investment for the 100 HPC stations amounts to EUR 75 million, fully funded by Autostrade per l’Italia. The Group is the largest operator of toll roads in Italy. Free to X is their mobility and digital service provider apart from signing responsible for the charging network.

The network also shows in the Hubject and the Gireve offer, and EV drivers may pay with the cards of their respective mobility service providers or simply credit cards.

In future, Free to X will move away from the motorways further to extend the high power charging network across Italy. Work is underway to realise high-power charging hubs outside the Milan airports Linate and Malpensa. Fifteen new ultra-fast electric charging stations will be active 24/7 for airport staff and visitors.

Source: info via email.