Powering Europe’s Energy Transition — Together

The electrification of mobility across Europe is accelerating rapidly. Where the first phase focused on deploying charging infrastructure and enabling electric driving at scale, today the challenge has shifted toward something more complex: building intelligent, reliable energy systems that can operate across thousands of locations.

For E.ON Drive Germany, EV charging is not a standalone solution, but an integral part of a broader energy ecosystem. Charging infrastructure must seamlessly connect with renewable generation, energy storage, load management, and data-driven control systems. Only when these elements work together does electrification truly scale; technically, economically, and sustainably.

“Scaling EV charging is about much more than hardware” says Jakob Lehner, Head of Sales at E.ON Drive Germany. “It requires reliable systems, intelligent integration, and trusted partnerships. Without close collaboration across the value chain, it simply wouldn’t be possible to operate at this scale.”

E.ON acts as a system integrator, combining energy supply, consultancy, installation, operations, and intelligent control. Hardware and software partners play a crucial role in completing that system. As one of E.ON’s key charging hardware partners, Alfen provides the reliable, high-quality infrastructure that enables large-scale deployment across Europe.

Quality and reliability are essential when infrastructure is rolled out at scale. To ensure this, E.ON operates a dedicated testing facility in Essen, where complete energy systems are validated under real-world conditions. Charging infrastructure is tested not only as a standalone product, but as part of an integrated ecosystem; including photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and advanced load management. This approach allows E.ON and its partners to refine solutions together before they are deployed in the field.

At the same time, the focus is shifting toward flexibility and intelligence. Smart charging and vehicle-to-grid technologies are no longer future concepts; they are becoming operational realities. By treating electric vehicles as connected energy assets, charging infrastructure can help balance supply and demand, optimize local energy use, and support grid stability. This applies to both private users and large B2B customers with complex energy needs.

The success of this transition depends on openness, interoperability, and trust. Systems must communicate seamlessly, data must flow securely, and partners must be able to innovate together as technology and customer demands evolve. For E.ON and Alfen, this shared mindset forms the foundation of a long-term partnership focused on building future-ready infrastructure for Europe.

Together, E.ON and Alfen are not just expanding charging networks — they are shaping an integrated energy ecosystem that supports the next phase of Europe’s energy transition.

Reliable power, even at altitude

Leitner energy operates at the intersection of electric mobility and renewable energy. Based in Italy, the company supports tourism regions, hotels, ski resorts and major event locations across the Alpine region with charging solutions designed for extreme conditions and fluctuating demand.

As a charge point operator, Leitner Energy combines EV charging infrastructure with local energy generation, storage and intelligent energy management. In environments where grid capacity is limited and weather conditions are demanding, this requires systems that are flexible, robust and reliable, throughout the year.

Together with Alfen, Leitner Energy delivers both fixed and mobile charging solutions. From permanent installations at hotels and ski resorts to temporary charging parks for major sporting events, the infrastructure is tailored to actual usage needs while avoiding unnecessary strain on the electricity grid.

A key element of the collaboration is intelligent energy use. By combining charging infrastructure with load management, local generation and storage, energy can be deployed when the system allows it. This helps manage peak loads and ensures mobility remains available during high-demand periods.

The partnership between Leitner Energy and Alfen demonstrates how electric mobility can function reliably in alpine regions, quietly in the background, yet essential for visitors, residents and event organisers, by performing when it matters most.

The Power of an open Ecosystem

The electrification of mobility is accelerating faster than ever. Where the first phase focused on installing charge points and removing range anxiety, today the shift is toward something far more fundamental: energy intelligence. For MobilityPlus, energy and mobility are not separate domains; they form one integrated system that unlocks a future-proof energy network.

“We don’t see the charging station and the electric vehicle as separate components,” says Jean-François Cheyns, founder and co-CEO of MobilityPlus. “Together, they form an asset that can actively contribute to the energy transition.” With smart control, local energy use, and new standards like ISO 15118, a future of true bidirectional charging comes into view; where vehicles not only draw energy but can feed it back into the grid when needed.

That vision requires openness. MobilityPlus deliberately builds on systems that are fully interoperable, ensuring that customers retain complete control over their infrastructure. This makes collaboration with partners like Alfen essential. Their charging stations can be openly controlled via OCPP and Modbus, enabling direct communication, seamless integration, and maximum security. “Being able to see exactly what is happening at a charge point is crucial,” Cheyns explains. “Openness is not only about functionality, it is a prerequisite for cybersecurity.”

The future of e-mobility lies in simplicity for the user and intelligence behind the scenes. Plug in and go, while a smart energy system continuously optimizes in the background. With 20,000 charge points installed, a rapidly growing IT team, and strong technology partners, MobilityPlus is ready to accelerate the next phase of the energy transition.

Strengthening Europe’s charging network

Every reliable charging session begins long before a driver plugs in. It starts with the collaboration between the people who test, refine and maintain the systems behind the scenes. For Vattenfall and Alfen, that collaboration has grown into a strategic partnership focused on smarter, more dependable charging.

“We wanted better uptime and faster resolution times and we’ve achieved that,” says Ashley Kioko, ChargePoint Engineer at Vattenfall. Today, the network operates at an average uptime of around 98%. Innovations such as smart charging networks, open standards and advanced load balancing play a crucial role, but so does the human side: open communication, clear processes and joint problem-solving.

As regulations evolve and user expectations rise, both organisations work closely together on new hardware features, firmware updates and product development. Displays, dynamic QR codes and AFIR-ready capabilities are becoming essential, and they are shaped through shared insight.

Looking ahead, the partnership is exploring AI-driven diagnostics, deeper data analysis and vehicle-to-grid solutions; steps that will make charging infrastructure even more intelligent.

Together, Vattenfall and Alfen continue to build a charging network engineered for reliability, scale and the future of e-mobility.

A curious mindset

Design has always been part of Guido’s life.

As a child, he filled pages with drawings of cars and imagined how they would be engineered. He wanted to understand systems, shapes and structures. That curiosity had never left him.

Today, he works as an engineer within Alfen’s R&D team for EV charging solutions. He spends his days developing products that need to function reliable in real-world conditions. Together with colleagues from different disciplines, he refines, builds prototypes and validates improvements. And in that process, it’s often the details that matter.

The proximity of design and production gives his work a direct connection to reality. What is developed in R&D becomes tangible on the factory floor. Ideas translate into components and components become products that operate across cities, companies and homes.

The process does not always stop at the office. On his attic at home, Guido continues to experiment with his 3D printer. Exploring shapes, adjusting details and following the same curiosity that started years ago.

For Guido, engineering is not something he switches on or off.

It is part of who he is.

And through that mindset, he contributes to solutions that support the energy transition; built carefully, built together, built to last.

Precision in every step

Every morning, Erica travels from The Hague to Almere, an hour where the rhythm of the train sets the tone for her day. That steady movement mirrors the flow she creates inside Alfen’s production hall, where she works as a Production Engineer.

For Erica, efficiency isn’t just a metric, it’s a mindset. She bridges the ideas of our R&D teams with the reality of the production floor, turning new charger designs into production lines that work smoothly, safely and with human precision. Her focus is on more than throughput alone. She looks at how people move, how they reach, lift and assemble, ensuring every workstation supports both speed and ergonomics. Because a better line doesn’t just make more chargers, it makes the work better for everyone.

Having lived in the Netherlands for eight years, Erica finds inspiration in the structure and clarity of her daily commute. The timing of the trains, the landscapes passing by, the quiet moment before the day starts, it all shapes how she approaches her work. And outside of Alfen, she finds her own rhythm on the badminton court, where timing and movement matter just as much.

In everything she does, Erica brings flow, balance and a deep sense of responsibility to the people behind the product. She helps keep our lines moving and the energy transition with them.

Crafted with Care

Some stories show how personal passion and professional craftsmanship can flow seamlessly into each other. Aisha’s story is one of them. She originally worked in logistics, but during the pandemic she realised she was ready for something new. An old colleague encouraged her to apply at Alfen: “If you can cook, you can work on an assembly line.” It turned out to be an unexpected but striking comparison.

Cooking is Aisha’s great passion. In her small Indonesian catering business, she spends hours in the kitchen tasting, observing, adjusting; exactly as her mother taught her. “You cook with your eyes,” she says. “You can see when something is right.” She brings that same attention to detail to the Alfen assembly line every day.

There, Aisha helps build charging stations that are used across Europe. She joined without technical experience, but with motivation and perseverance she quickly grew into a trusted member of the team. Colleagues now call her “Mama Aisha” — not only because she often brings food to work, but also because she supports, encourages and guides new team members.

For Aisha, everything revolves around care and quality, whether she’s preparing sambal or assembling a charging station. She knows that what she creates will go out into the world. And that fills her with pride.