Volkswagen and Enel X Way, Enel’s e-mobility arm, have launched their 50-50 joint venture (JV), Ewiva, to develop a high-power charging network comprising 3,000 charging points across Italy.
The JV plans to deploy charging points in a total of 500 locations by the end of 2023, each with a capacity of up to 350kW and driven entirely by renewable energy by 2025.
Ewiva is presently operating in 233 locations with 750 charging points in the country.
With 3,000 charging points, Ewiva is expected to operate in over 800 locations. The selected sites will include suburban areas, city centres, and main roads used by tourists and commuters.
Enel X Way CEO Elisabetta Ripa said: “This joint venture represents a new milestone in Enel X Way and Enel Group’s ongoing push to spread electric mobility throughout Italy by accelerating the development of a state-of-the-art high-power charging network, which will help make electric vehicles the first choice for drivers.
“In the process, and in line with the strategy adopted by Enel X Way in the development of the public charging infrastructure, we are taking an open approach, making the network available for all Mobility Service Providers and drivers of any electric vehicle from all manufacturers.”
Located in Via Flaminia 871, Rome, the first Ewiva hub offers 14 ultra-rapid charge points each with up to 300kW.
These operate under a solar roof made of PV panels produced at Enel’s 3Sun Gigafactory in Sicily.
Through the JV, the companies intend to expedite the adoption of electric mobility in Italy and support the growth of a reliable and capillary high-power charging network across the country.
Volkswagen Group technology board member and Volkswagen Group Components CEO Thomas Schmall said: “The expansion of the charging infrastructure plays a key role in the success of e-cars. Enel and Volkswagen, two strong partners from different industries, have now joined forces to tackle this task in a targeted manner, thus advancing e-mobility in Italy.”
Recently, Volkswagen announced that Elli, its charging and energy subsidiary, completed the installation of 400,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Europe.
