Megawatt Moment! Ionity Rewrites Europe’s Charging Playbook

Ionity electric vehicle charging stations at ultra fast public charging hub

25 Feb 2026

Ionity has launched Europe’s first public megawatt-capable charging hubs in France, marking a major advance in the continent’s electric-vehicle infrastructure. The move signals the start of next-generation ultra-fast charging along key highway corridors.

The company, backed by major automakers, activated the new sites in early 2026 following its 2025 announcement of plans to expand into megawatt-scale charging. The new system, developed by Italian manufacturer Alpitronic, can deliver up to 1,000 kilowatts of total power at a single location, with individual vehicles able to draw as much as 600 kilowatts. That exceeds the 350-kilowatt output typical of most current high-power chargers.

Although only a small number of vehicles today can use such high charging rates, automakers are introducing higher-voltage battery systems designed to reduce charging times and improve travel convenience.

A central feature of the new platform is its architecture. Rather than assigning a full power unit to each charging stall, Alpitronic’s design employs a centralised power cabinet that dynamically distributes electricity across chargers. Power flows shift in real time based on demand, enabling faster sessions for some vehicles while maintaining overall efficiency. Ionity said the model should increase site utilisation and improve the economics of operating large hubs.

For network operators, the system could simplify installation, reduce hardware redundancy and allow capacity to expand as usage grows. Those qualities align with the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, which calls for denser, higher-capacity charging coverage across the bloc.

Securing the necessary grid connections remains a key challenge. Linking megawatt-scale sites to local networks can take months and require costly reinforcement of existing infrastructure. The wider market impact will depend on how rapidly manufacturers bring compatible vehicles to market.

Even so, Ionity’s rollout indicates that megawatt-level public charging is moving beyond the pilot stage. The company’s latest installations represent a step towards a faster, more flexible and scalable charging ecosystem to support Europe’s next phase of electric mobility.