Daily EV news · Global · 27 July 2026
EV Charging
i-charging launches 1.6 MW MAX charging platform with SOLUM power modules for heavy-duty EVs
Portuguese infrastructure provider i-charging has begun commercial deliveries of its MAX charging platform, which scales from 50 kW to 1.6 MW in a single cabinet and supports CCS, NACS, GB/T and MCS standards. The platform uses power modules from SOLUM, a Samsung Electro-Mechanics spin-off founded in 2015, and features dynamic power allocation across up to eight vehicles simultaneously. Following initial installations in Portugal, i-charging has received orders from Germany and Switzerland for European expansion.
Why it matters
The arrival of a commercially available 1.6 MW platform signals growing procurement options for depot and corridor charging aimed at heavy-duty fleets, with multi-standard compatibility reducing infrastructure lock-in. Orders from Germany and Switzerland indicate near-term pipeline activity for megawatt-class charging across Europe.
i-charging · SOLUM · Source
EU public charging network grows faster than EV fleet, exceeds AFIR targets by 180 per cent
Transport & Environment research shows the European Union reached approximately 1.1 million public charging points by end 2025, five times the 2020 figure, with available capacity 180 per cent above the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation minimum of 1.3kW per battery electric vehicle. Every EU member state except Malta now exceeds AFIR charging capacity targets. By June 2026, 79 per cent of the core Trans European Transport Network met the EU's 2025 ultra rapid charging target, with Western European coverage above 99 per cent, while 20 of 27 member states had already reached their 2027 targets for the broader TEN-T Comprehensive Network.
Why it matters
The data suggests procurement pipelines for public charging infrastructure remain robust and that AFIR compliance is driving deployment faster than EV adoption, potentially easing pressure on charge point operators to meet near term coverage mandates. Western Europe's near complete TEN-T coverage may shift competitive focus to secondary networks and reliability upgrades rather than greenfield corridor builds.
Policy & Market
La Rioja energy costs show electric driving at 2 to 3 euros per 100 kilometres versus 10 to 15 euros for petrol
ANFAC's barometer to 30 June records 355 working public charge points in La Rioja and 125 out of service, whilst the region's electromobility score stood at 26.4 against a Spanish average of 26.9. A local estimate, converted at the European Central Bank's 16 July rate, puts the cost of driving 100 kilometres in an electric car at roughly 2 to 3 euros compared with 10 to 15 euros for petrol, though the final figure depends on charging location and tariff. ANFAC's index combines battery electric and plug in hybrid registrations with metrics tied to the driving age population and public infrastructure.
Why it matters
The four to fivefold energy cost advantage strengthens the business case for fleet electrification and may accelerate demand for workplace and depot charging. However, the 125 non operational points in a small region highlight the reliability pressure facing charge point operators as utilisation grows.