If the charging network runs faster than the electric car market: the paradox in Italia

Italy's electric mobility sector is experiencing a phase of expansion but, compared to other European countries, it is showing critical and, one might say, paradoxical aspects. The first, incontrovertible fact is that, in Italia, the spread of electric cars is far below the levels of the main EU countries.

In 2025, the penetration rate of electric cars (BEVs) in Europe showed steady growth and was driven by countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium, which boast penetration rates in excess of 30 per cent, while large markets such as France and Germany stand at levels of 18.2 and 18 per cent respectively. For its part, Italy, with an electricity market share of around 5-5.2 per cent, ranks among the lowest in the European context, preceded also by Spain (8.4 per cent). In the face of a still fairly small market, Italia has a recharging infrastructure network that travels faster than the domestic market and also shines in comparison with the main continental benchmarks. If one restricts oneself to a 'myopic' reading of the latest data, one might think, in fact, that the recharging infrastructure available in Italy is not far behind, in terms of development, compared to the still small size of the market.

According to Motus-E data, by the end of 2025, there will be 62,145 active recharging points in the country: a figure that places Italia sixth in Europe. However, putting the charging network data in relation to the size of the market, a distinctly different picture emerges. With 1 public charging point for every 6 registered electric cars, the Italian infrastructure remains ahead of those of France (1 point for every 8.3 electric cars), Germany (1 point for every 10.7 electric cars) and the United Kingdom (1 point for every 16.6 electric cars). What's more, Italy's infrastructure retains its leadership even if only DC fast-charging points are considered: Italia (1 DC point every 25.7 electric cars), France (1 DC point every 38.7 electric cars), Germany (1 point every 42.7 electric cars) and the United Kingdom (1 point every 80.1 electric cars). Considering then the number of charging points in relation to the total length of the road network, Italia is still widely among the best European benchmarks with an average of 1 charging point every 4 km of roads, on a par with Germany and the United Kingdom, ahead of France (1 point every 6 km). These results are the effect of the progress made in recent years: in 2025 alone, the increase in active charging points was 15%, and from 2019 onwards there is an average annual growth in charging points of 38%.

For Motus-E president Fabio Pressi, the numbers "once again disprove the narrative of an Italy that is lagging behind in terms of infrastructure at the service of electric mobility, but this does not detract from the fact that there is still a lot to be done". The actions to be taken to further strengthen the recharging infrastructure and increase its widespread diffusion throughout the country can be summarised in the five points highlighted in the Motus-E document 'Recharging Italy: manifesto for a strategic infrastructure for the country'.

The first point concerns the reduction of energy supply costs for recharging operators, bringing them into line with other major European countries, to ensure more competitive end prices to the public.