E.ON Drive Infrastructure is expanding its electric vehicle charging network in Italy through the acquisition of Smatrics EnBW Italia, taking over four operational high-power charging (HPC) sites in the northern part of the country.
The transaction covers 100% of the share capital of Smatrics EnBW Italia and includes a total of 64 fast-charging points. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
The acquisition marks Smatrics EnBW’s withdrawal from Italy after approximately two years of operations, while strengthening E.ON’s presence along major European transport corridors.
Four Charging Parks Added to E.ON’s Italian Network
The acquired facilities are located across northern Italy, serving major motorways and regional transport routes:
- Brixen-Vahrn, South Tyrol: 20 ultra-fast charging points along the Brenner Corridor.
- Palmanova, Udine: 12 charging points along the Alpine-Adriatic Corridor.
- Gruaro, Venice: 16 charging points between the A28 and A4 motorways.
- Trezzo sull’Adda, Milan: 16 charging points along the A4 motorway, serving the greater Milan area.
According to E.ON Drive Infrastructure (EDRI), the sites have high grid connection capacities, providing scope for additional charging stations and potential technology upgrades.
Michele De Gaspari, Regional Director for Southern Europe at E.ON Drive Infrastructure, said the acquisition would reinforce the company’s coverage of important transport routes.
“By integrating these hubs into our network, we are strengthening our presence along the most important European traffic corridors and further expanding a network designed to make high-power charging across Europe increasingly accessible and reliable.”
E.ON Continues Expansion Across European Markets
EDRI operates in 11 European countries, employing approximately 200 people and managing a network of around 10,000 public charging stations, according to the company.
In Italy, the acquisition complements a separate infrastructure expansion project awarded earlier in 2026. E.ON secured a tender from Autostrade per l’Italia (ASPI), the country’s largest motorway operator, to install 104 HPC charging stations across 18 motorway service areas.
The charging facilities are being developed along major east-west and north-south routes, including the A4 motorway between Turin and Trieste and the A14 between Bologna and Taranto. According to previous company statements, all 18 locations are expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
Together, the projects support E.ON’s efforts to expand high-power charging availability along Italy’s busiest road corridors.
Smatrics EnBW Refocuses on Austrian Operations
The sale brings Smatrics EnBW’s Italian activities to an end after a relatively short period of expansion.
The joint venture, which had previously focused exclusively on Austria, opened its first Italian charging park at Brixen-Vahrn near the Brenner motorway at the end of 2024. The facility featured 20 HPC charging points.
The company subsequently opened its Palmanova site in 2025, followed by the Gruaro and Trezzo sull’Adda locations in February 2026.
Explaining the decision to sell its Italian operations, a Smatrics EnBW spokesperson told electrive that the company intends to concentrate its resources on its home market.
“Sustainably securing and further developing a strong position in Austria requires an unrestricted focus and a complete concentration of the resources of SMATRICS EnBW GmbH on its core market,”
The spokesperson added that the company had therefore decided to sell all its shares in the Italian charging network and concentrate entirely on Austria.
The transaction reflects a shift in Smatrics EnBW’s geographic priorities, while allowing E.ON to integrate four established charging locations into its expanding European infrastructure network.