Key Takeaways
- Sector: Green Mobility, Retail.
- Geography: Italy.
Analysis
Powy, a prominent Italian electric vehicle charging infrastructure operator backed by Swiss Life Asset Managers, has significantly bolstered its network through the acquisition of RAW Charging Network (Italy) srl. This strategic move integrates 138 charging points across five major Italian retail destinations, marking Powy's first foray into market consolidation via external growth.
The acquired assets are situated within high-traffic locations managed by renowned retail groups, including four McArthurGlen designer outlets – Serravalle, Noventa di Piave, Castel Romano, and La Reggia – along with the Barberino Designer Outlet operated by Promos. These five sites collectively attract over 20 million visitors annually, underscoring their appeal for destination charging, a critical segment for EV adoption during leisure and shopping activities.
This transaction injects 136 operational charging points into Powy's portfolio, complemented by two newly installed direct current (DC) charging stations finalized at the deal's closing. In 2025, these stations facilitated approximately 29,000 charging sessions, contributing to an estimated avoidance of over 334 tons of CO2 emissions, highlighting the environmental impact of such infrastructure expansion.
Powy, founded in 2018 by Federico Fea and Andrea Brentan, has historically pursued organic growth. This acquisition signals a new strategic direction, embracing targeted M&A to accelerate its expansion. The company, which received a significant investment from Swiss Life Asset Managers in May 2023, previously managed over 400 charging points across Italy and Spain. The integration of RAW Charging Network's assets represents a substantial leap in its operational footprint.
Looking ahead, Powy has outlined a comprehensive investment plan to upgrade the newly acquired charging stations. The existing infrastructure will be replaced with units standardized to Powy's platform specifications. A key technological enhancement will be the implementation of Dynamic Load Management (DLM) systems, enabling intelligent distribution of available power across charging points to optimize efficiency and user experience.
Federico Fea, CEO and co-founder of Powy, expressed enthusiasm for this new growth phase, stating, "This first operation inaugurates a new phase of growth also through targeted acquisitions, which complements our organic growth engine, a source of continuous satisfaction for years." He added, "We are delighted to collaborate with first-rate entities like McArthurGlen and Promos, with whom we have defined an important investment plan aimed at further improving the customer experience with new fast and ultra-fast infrastructure."
The acquisition of RAW Charging Network (Italy) srl, previously a subsidiary of the UK-based RAW Charging Network Ltd (itself backed by infrastructure fund Antin Infrastructure Partners), positions Powy as a key player in the Italian EV charging market. The company is actively seeking further selective acquisitions to expedite its network development, aligning with the growing demand for accessible and reliable EV charging solutions across Europe.