EU Co-Finances E.ON-Led DRIVE-E Project to Boost Charging Infrastructure Across 13 European Countries

EU Co-Finances E.ON-Led DRIVE-E Project to Boost Charging Infrastructure Across 13 European Countries

(IN BRIEF) The EU will co-finance the installation of 1,400 new charging points across Europe, with 430 dedicated to heavy-duty electric trucks, as part of the DRIVE-E Global project. This €45 million initiative, led by E.ON, aims to strengthen Europe’s electric vehicle infrastructure by 2027 and support the decarbonization of freight and passenger transport.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 21-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A major initiative to expand Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has received a significant boost from the European Union. As part of the DRIVE-E Global project, a consortium led by E.ON has secured €45 million in EU funding to install 1,400 new charging points across 13 European countries by 2027. This ambitious project will include 430 high-capacity charging points for heavy-duty electric trucks, each capable of delivering 350 kW or more, marking a major step in the decarbonization of European freight transport.

The DRIVE-E project is one of 39 groundbreaking initiatives recently selected by the EU under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) II, aimed at developing infrastructure for alternative fuels. The new charging network will be established along major transport corridors, with an emphasis on supporting both light commercial vehicles and heavy trucks, facilitating the electrification of freight and passenger transport across the continent.

Partners in the DRIVE-E consortium—E.ON, ZSE, and Eldrive—will collaborate to build and operate the network of charging points, focusing on key trans-European freight routes. These stations will cater to both mixed vehicle environments and dedicated truck-only sites, addressing the need for more comprehensive charging solutions, particularly for areas where there are gaps in the current network for light commercial vehicles.

The charging points will be strategically located at over 250 sites across a broad range of countries, including Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. By the completion of the project in 2027, these installations will significantly enhance the continent’s ability to support sustainable electric mobility for both passenger vehicles and freight transport.

The project is co-funded by the European Union through AFIF II, which aims to accelerate the expansion of alternative fuel infrastructure and contribute to the EU’s goal of achieving a more efficient and sustainable transport network. Launched in February 2024, AFIF II has a total budget of €1 billion and is central to the EU’s strategy for achieving net-zero emissions in transport by 2050.

The DRIVE-E project underscores the EU’s ongoing commitment to promoting cleaner, more sustainable transportation solutions, particularly in the freight sector. By increasing the availability of fast-charging stations across Europe, this initiative will not only reduce emissions but also make it easier for businesses and consumers to transition to electric mobility.

About E.ON

As the playmaker of the energy transition in Europe, E.ON is bringing electromobility to companies, municipalities and private households. The aim is to make electromobility an integral part of a flexible and affordable energy system. Through its subsidiary E.ON Drive Infrastructure, E.ON builds, owns, and operates public charging networks for all types of electric vehicles. With a mission to enable charging for everyone, everywhere, E.ON Drive Infrastructure today operates more than 6,000 public charging points across 11 European countries.

About ZSE

Západoslovenská energetika, a.s. (ZSE), a member of the E.ON Group, is Slovakia’s largest electricity distributor and a leading retailer of electricity and gas. As a key player in e-mobility, ZSE operates a nationwide network of AC, DC, and ultra-fast charging stations, supporting electric vehicle owners with comprehensive charging infrastructure and services.

ZSE’s commitment to electrifying transportation extends beyond passenger vehicles. The company is preparing for the future of commercial transport by investing in electric heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure.

About Eldrive

Eldrive facilitates the acceleration of the transition to electric vehicles and the decarbonization of transport in Southeast Europe and the Baltics. The company operates more than 2,000 public charging points in Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria, with a focus on fast and super-fast charging. Eldrive develops electric vehicle charging hubs in prime urban and intercity locations and has ambitious plans for further regional development and expansion. As of the end of 2024, Eldrive started developing its own large charging parks on major highways.

The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of E.ON and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.

Media Contact:

Isabel Reinhardt
Spokeswoman
isabel.reinhardt@eon.com
tel:+49 1736840253

SOURCE: E.ON