Despite Italy’s impressive growth in home EV charging, unlocking the potential of condominium-based infrastructure remains the missing link. This is what we can realise from the latest GSE report (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici).
Italy is experiencing steady growth in the adoption of home electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, with more than 5,400 installations approved between 2021 and the end of 2024—a figure that has quadrupled in under four years. This reflects a broader momentum in eMobility: applications for home charging increased sharply, especially during the final quarter of last year, underlining the country’s growing enthusiasm for electric mobility.
However, a significant paradox remains. While demand is surging, a mere 7% of these charging points have been installed in apartment buildings or condominiums. The vast majority are concentrated in detached homes, semi-detached properties, or independent garages, effectively excluding the large proportion of Italians—well over 60%—who reside in shared residential buildings. This is particularly surprising given the structure of Italian housing and presents a unique “bottleneck” in the country’s journey towards electrified mobility.
Geographic and Regulatory Insights
The latest report from GSE highlights that the North-West is the most dynamic region, registering 1,777 applications, with the North-East and Central regions following at 1,460 and 1,199, respectively. The South and islands contributed a combined total of 991 applications—a clear indication of a geographic divide, but also of widespread national engagement.
The experimental policy launched by the ARERA (Italy’s energy authority) aims to accelerate adoption, granting low-voltage power users free upgrades in available power during off-peak hours or holidays. The overall intent is to remove barriers and incentivize both individuals and condominiums to embrace home EV charging infrastructure. Recent government initiatives—including the “Bonus Colonnine,” which covers up to 80% of purchase and installation costs for home-based EV charging—are explicitly open to both single homes and communal buildings. Despite this, uptake within condominiums has remained stubbornly low, even as the available funds have been consistently and quickly utilized by private homeowners.
Technology, Approvals, and Market Trends
There are encouraging signs: the average approval time for home charging installations in 2024 dropped to just over 4 days at GSE and about 9 days with distribution companies, with most supporting documentation processed in under a week. Nevertheless, about 25% of applications are rejected, mostly due to technical incompatibilities or incomplete documentation, pointing to a continuing need for technical support and professional guidance.
From a technological perspective, smart charging is quickly becoming the norm. Approximately 92% of new wall boxes feature dynamic load management, and 70% allow scheduled charging to leverage off-peak tariffs. Notably, 37% of installations are paired with home photovoltaic systems, demonstrating a tangible integration between clean energy production and sustainable mobility—a trend that strengthens the case for home charging as an engine for broader energy transition.
The Condominium Challenge
Industry commentators, including ChargeGuru, emphasize that extending these advantages to condominiums is crucial. If more of the 93% of installations currently located outside shared buildings were replicated in multi-family contexts, it could significantly reduce pressure on the public charging network, enhance urban eMobility, and maximize the use of domestic renewable energy.
