Daily EV news · Global · 2 February 2026
EV Charging
E.ON Drive wins ASPI tender for 104 ultra-fast chargers across 18 Italian motorway service areas
E.ON Drive has been awarded a competitive tender by ASPI, one of Europe's leading toll-road operators managing around 3,000 km of Italian motorway network, to install 104 ultra-fast charging points of up to 400 kW across 18 service areas on the A4 (Turin to Trieste) and A14 (Bologna to Taranto) corridors. Each site will integrate photovoltaic systems and battery storage, powered entirely by green energy. The tender is part of a wider ASPI programme covering 60 service areas to meet European AFIR requirements for long-distance electric mobility infrastructure.
Why it matters
The award demonstrates how major European toll-road operators are procuring integrated energy hubs combining solar, storage and ultra-fast charging to comply with AFIR mandates. For CPOs and suppliers, the 60 site programme signals a substantial pipeline of motorway charging opportunities across Italy's busiest routes.
Watson Farley & Williams (global) · E.ON Drive (de) · ASPI (de) · Source
Electric Vehicles
Porsche may cancel electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models amid development delays and rising costs
Porsche's new CEO Michael Leiters is considering scrapping the battery-powered versions of the upcoming 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars due to development delays and rising expenses, according to Bloomberg citing internal sources. The company wound down production of the current 718 models late last year in preparation for what was originally planned as an electric-only successor, before adding a combustion option to adapt to consumer preferences and regulatory changes. The original 718 generation entered production in 2016 and was set to be discontinued due to new European cybersecurity laws.
Why it matters
The potential cancellation signals how development cost pressures and shifting EV demand are forcing even premium manufacturers to reassess electrification timelines, which may affect charging infrastructure planning for sports car segments. Procurement teams tracking OEM commitments should note the growing trend of automakers delaying or cancelling EV programmes originally announced as firm pipeline projects.
European operators deploy BYD and Yutong electric buses amid ongoing China security concerns
EU transport companies are adopting electric buses from Chinese manufacturers BYD and Yutong despite persistent security concerns over Chinese technology, according to Nikkei Asia. The deployments reflect the competitive pricing and availability of Chinese electric bus models in the European market, even as policymakers debate supply chain risks. The trend highlights the tension between decarbonisation targets and geopolitical caution in public transport procurement.
Why it matters
Procurement teams face a strategic choice between cost effective Chinese electric bus platforms and emerging security or supply chain restrictions that could affect long term fleet planning. The continued uptake signals that price and delivery timelines remain decisive factors in European depot electrification, despite regulatory uncertainty.