Electric vehicle highway charging: a complete guide for worry‑free travel

With over 220,000 electric vehicles on Italian roads (UNRAE data, 2024) and a continuously expanding market, long-distance travel in EVs is no longer limited to urban use. Increasing battery ranges, faster charging, and new infrastructure make long trips viable for all.

Why highway charging is crucial for e‑mobility

The real challenge of electric mobility plays out on highways, where efficiency and speed are key. That’s why high-power fast chargers are essential to avoid delays. The Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) aims to install 7,500 fast charging points along major routes by 2026.

Highway Charging Stations: Italy’s Coverage & Expansion

As of 2025, Motus‑E reports around 900 publicly accessible highway charging stations in Italy—about one every 90 km. Key operators include:

• Free To X, part of Autostrade per l’Italia, targeting full national coverage with chargers up to 300 kW.

• Ionity, a European consortium backed by BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, and Volkswagen.

• Enel X Way, Italy’s main operator, with both fast and ultra‑fast chargers at service areas and nearby locations.

• Atlante (NHOA Group), a global energy storage and e‑mobility player.

• Plenitude On The Road, offering over 400,000 charging points in Italy and abroad.

Comparison with other European networks

Germany and France offer denser coverage—roughly one charger every 40–50 km—with more interoperable networks. Italy has quickly caught up, surpassing Spain in active highway stations and aligning with the EU’s AFIR targets.

How to find fast charging stations on the go

Apps, maps and planning tools

• ABetterRoutePlanner (ABRP): Uses real consumption data per vehicle model to suggest optimal charging stops.

• Nextcharge: Detailed maps, user reviews, real-time availability.

• Google Maps: Increasingly integrated with EVs; shows stations along the route based on remaining range.
  
  
  

Top-served highway routes

• A1 (Milan–Rome–Naples)

• A4 (Turin–Venice) and A14 (Bologna–Bari), key for tourism and freight

• A22 (Modena–Brenner), important for travel toward Austria and Germany
  
  
  

Charging technologies found along highways

DC vs. AC

Highway chargers are almost exclusively DC (direct current), with power ratings from about 50 to 350 kW. AC (alternating current) charging is much slower and typically reserved for urban or home use, seldom on highways.

Connector standards

Most modern stations use CCS2, compatible with nearly all European EVs. Some still offer CHAdeMO (used by Nissan Leaf or Mitsubishi), but it’s declining. New-generation Tesla Superchargers now accept non‑Tesla vehicles with CCS connectors via the official app.

Real‑world charging times

Charging time depends on:

• Charger power

• Battery capacity

• Initial state of charge (SOC)

• Temperature (cold batteries charge more slowly)

• Vehicle architecture (e.g. 400 V vs. 800 V systems)

  
  

On average, charging from 20% to 80% at a highway station takes around 15–35 minutes, with differences between compact cars and modern SUVs.

How much does highway charging cost?

Pricing ranges

• Fast chargers: €0.60–€0.75 per kWh

• Ultra‑fast: up to €0.85–€0.90 per kWh

• A full charge for a 60 kWh battery on the highway costs around €35–50; at home (with a flat or night tariff) the same energy may cost less than €15.
  
  
  

Cost‑saving strategies

• Charge at home before departure.

• Use off‑highway stations for longer stops.

• Check if your carmaker or charging partner offers discounted rates.
  
  
  

Practical tips for highway charging

Prepare car and route

• Keep car software up to date—for better battery thermal management and station integration.

• Use the EV‑specific navigation: some cars pre‑heat (pre‑condition) the battery ahead of a charging stop.

• Avoid range anxiety: plan intelligently and maintain a reserve of 15–20%.
  
  
  

If a charger is occupied

• Check alternative nearby via app.

• Don’t rely on a single station: highway exits often have nearby urban chargers.

• Some apps allow remote reservation or activation of charging points.
  
  

The future of highway charging

Investments & regulations

• PNRR allocates €713 million for high-power charging along key Italian routes.

• EU AFIR regulation requires at least one fast charging station every 60 km on major TEN‑T corridors by 2030.
  
  

Upcoming innovations

• Wireless in-motion charging, already trialed in Sweden and Germany.

• Battery swapping, under experimentation in Italy.

• Integration with solar power and stationary storage, to reduce peak loads on the grid.
  
  
  

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I use a portable wallbox on the highway?

No, the highway stations use DC and require a direct integrated cable; portable wallboxes work in AC only and at lower power.

What if the battery runs completely flat?

Never let it drop below 10%. If it happens, roadside assistance can tow your vehicle to the nearest charging station.

Are highway chargers compatible with all EVs?

Yes, as long as your car supports CCS2 (standard on nearly all European models). Tesla and other brands offer full compatibility with public stations.

Traveling in an electric car on highways is possible—and easier than ever. Thanks to expanding infrastructure, more powerful chargers, and smart digital tools, long-distance EV trips are today simple and safe. It’s not about adapting to a limit, but embracing a new way to travel.

Daze: the expert, everyday partner in intelligent energy on the road.