• EU to co-finance installation of 1,400 charging points in 13 European countries, including 430 for heavy-duty electric trucks
• DRIVE-E Global project to be completed by 2027, strengthening charging infrastructure along major transport axes
A consortium between Eldrive, E.ON and ZSE receives €45 million in EU funding to expand charging infrastructure for electric cars and commercial vehicles in Europe. The DRIVE-E project is one of 39 innovative projects lately selected by the European Union to develop alternative fuel infrastructure. It will create a total of 1,400 new public charging points by the end of 2027. This includes 430 charging points for heavy commercial vehicles, each with a capacity of 350 kW or more. The project will be implemented in 13 EU countries and will make a significant contribution to the electrification of European freight and passenger transport.
The DRIVE-E project partners are Eldrive, E.ON and ZSE. Together they will build a network of charging points for cars and light and heavy commercial vehicles along main trans-European freight transport routes. This will include sites specifically designed for truck charging as well as mixed environments for trucks and cars. Another focus of the project is to complement and extend the existing network for light commercial vehicles in areas where there are gaps in the network.
The planned charging points will be located at more than 250 sites in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
Decarbonizing European freight transport
The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) II. AFIF is a key driver of the EU’s ambitious push to expand charging infrastructure across its trans-European transport network, thus making freight and passenger transport in Europe more efficient and sustainable. The second phase of the AFIF (2024-2025) was launched in February 2024 with a total budget of €1 billion.
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.
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.
