The funds will be used to build over 2.000 high-power charging points in Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece
CDP acted as executive partner of the European Commission for Italy, confirming its role as a facilitator in accessing European resources and development opportunities
The European Commission and the Italian Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) have allocated over 100 million euros to Be Charge, a wholly owned subsidiary of Plenitude (Eni), for the construction by 2025 of one of the largest high-speed speed in Europe. The objective of the operation is to encourage the development of infrastructure dedicated to electric mobility and accelerate the energy transition.
In detail, CDP, as a national promotional institution, has granted a loan of 50 million in addition to another 50,4 million non-repayable grants assigned by the European Commission for the construction of a network of over 2.000 "ultra-fast" charging points ”, with a minimum power of 150kW along the main European transport corridors of eight countries: Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece.
The contribution of the European Commission was awarded last September by the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and the Environment (CINEA) within the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and precisely within the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility. Cassa Depositi e Prestiti acted as executive partner of the European Commission (implementing partner) for Italy, confirming its role as facilitator in accessing European programs and resources for Italian companies and as lender in support of the development of the infrastructures of transport and sustainable mobility.
Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, he has declared: "With the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility, we intend to support the rapid introduction of charging infrastructure. This will allow for the market uptake of zero and low emission vehicles and ultimately make our climate goals a reality. The Be Charge project will make a positive contribution by establishing a network of ultra-fast charging points for electric vehicles in eight Member States. Such an extensive network will further reassure consumers, encouraging them to charge their cars across the EU and thus promoting electric mobility".
Stefano Goberti, Chief Executive Officer of Plenitude, he has declared: "The funds awarded are clear recognition of Be Charge's commitment in the electric mobility sector which represents an important part of Plenitude's strategy in support of the energy transition. This operation is part of the company's plan, which today has over 15.000 recharging points, and aims to develop a European high-power infrastructure for electric vehicles and to double its network by 2026, reaching 30.000 points".
Massimo Di Carlo, Deputy General Manager and Business Director of CDP, he has declared: "We are proud to have concluded this financing agreement in favor of the Be Charge project to develop an efficient and sustainable transport system and increasingly direct our commitment towards the energy transition. Furthermore, the transaction confirms on the one hand the fruitful collaboration and synergies with all European stakeholders and on the other the role of CDP as a facilitator in accessing European Union resources for the implementation of sustainable projects, where Be Charge is a virtuous example of this".