EnBW and Alpitronic deepen partnership
Everyone in the electromobility sector recognises EnBW’s distinctive blue, white, and yellow charging stations. With over 8,000 fast-charging points, the energy provider from Baden-Württemberg is Germany’s largest fast-charging operator. Since 2018, EnBW has relied almost exclusively on Alpitronic’s Hyperchargers from South Tyrol for its expansion.
Some might even say that EnBW, through its large-scale deployment of Hyperchargers, has helped establish Alpitronic as one of Europe’s leading manufacturers. While in 2018 other charge point operators (CPOs) often grappled with the reliability of their hardware, EnBW’s stations, equipped with Alpitronic charging columns, operated without major issues. Over time, more and more charging providers that had previously used other charging station models switched to Alpitronic’s Hyperchargers from South Tyrol.
Nevertheless, EnBW has remained a key lead customer for Alpitronic. Back in 2022, the partnership was extended and expanded. Now, it has been further deepened. “In addition to supplying fast-charging stations, the new agreement includes a development partnership focused on designing future functionalities, as well as a comprehensive maintenance agreement with a term of up to five years,” EnBW announced. However, the five-year term applies only to the maintenance agreement. Otherwise, the statement reads: “The partnership is set for several years and includes an option for extension.”
The number of charging stations EnBW has secured through this deal, as well as the financial scope of the agreements, remain undisclosed. EnBW currently operates over 8,000 fast-charging points with up to 400 kW charging capacity along major routes, in urban areas, and at retail locations—”the majority of which are equipped with Alpitronic fast-charging stations,” the company specifies. By 2030, current plans aim to expand this to 20,000 fast-charging points. If Alpitronic remains EnBW’s primary supplier, this will likely involve significant volumes. To date, EnBW has primarily used the established models BYC200 and HYC400 (and their predecessors, HYC150 and HYC300). Whether the newly introduced, decentralised megawatt charging system HYC1000 will be deployed by EnBW is not confirmed in the announcement—but neither is it ruled out.
Reliability and user-friendliness in focus
“We have made significant upfront investments in expanding our charging network and have established a nationwide offering in just a few years. Now, it is crucial not to stand still,” says Volker Rimpler, Chief Technology Officer for E-Mobility at EnBW. “Further expansion will be demand-driven, and existing sites will increasingly be upgraded with additional charging stations and the latest technology. This ensures that they continue to meet the expectations of our customers while also keeping pace with the steadily growing number of electric vehicles on Germany’s roads.”
To maintain reliability across the charging network, durable products are essential—but so is service. The newly concluded maintenance agreement aims to “provide a stable contractual foundation for collaboration between EnBW’s and Alpitronic’s field service teams” and ensure uninterrupted operation as the charging network grows, according to EnBW. Both partners are committed to continuous optimisation of the reliability and user experience of the charging infrastructure.
“Our customers expect consistently reliable and high-performance charging solutions. We deliver this through our expertise and Alpitronic’s state-of-the-art fast-charging stations,” says Rimpler. “For seamless operation, the hardware is just as critical as powerful operating systems and a functional, efficient maintenance strategy. Our collaboration with Alpitronic provides stability for further network expansion in this dynamic market environment.”
Philipp Senoner, CEO and founder of Alpitronic, adds: “Fast charging reaches its full potential when hardware, software, and service work seamlessly together. Our shared goal with EnBW is to design the charging experience so that it is simple and reliable for electric vehicle drivers. This shared understanding has shaped our collaboration since the introduction of our first DC charging station over seven years ago and will continue to define it in the future.”
With this agreement, EnBW is laying the groundwork for expansion in the coming years. From 2026 onwards, this will be driven by a new eMobility head at EnBW: former Elli and BP manager Martin Roemheld will take over as CEO of EnBW mobility+ on 1 January and will lead the business alongside CCO Lars Jacobs, CFO Fabian Kneule, and CTO Volker Rimpler. We have already spoken with Roemheld about his plans for EnBW mobility+ ahead of his start.
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