Switzerland awards five more HPC contracts

The current call for projects dates back to February 2024, when FEDRO invited tenders for additional areas to construct fast-charging hubs, specifically in five lots with eleven plots each, spread across Switzerland. Applications were possible until mid-May.

Now the contracts have been awarded. They go to:

• Lot 1: Fastned Switzerland AG
• Lot 2: Mercedes-Benz High Power Charging Europe GmbH
• Lot 3: Atlante Italia S.r.l.
• Lot 4: Electra Charging Switzerland AG
• Lot 5: GOFAST AG

According to the press release, FEDRO received a total of seven applications. “After thorough examination, the five contracts have now been awarded to the best-rated companies,” the authority said. Once the agreement has been signed, the companies will have three years to plan the fast-charging hubs and apply for a construction permit. They themselves are responsible for the planning, financing, construction, power connection, operation and maintenance of the fast-charging hubs.

This is not the first tender of this kind in Switzerland: interested operators could apply for five contracts, each with 20 charging stations, up until December 2018. In March 2019, FEDRO awarded the contract to five companies, including GOFAST and Fastned.

While GOFAST and Fastned each received a lot in 2024, the other three operators are new to the programme. In 2019, the contracts were awarded to Groupe e, Primeo Energie/Alpiq E-Mobility and SOCAR Energy Switzerland. The fact that two operators with links to the automotive industry – Atlante, a company with close ties to Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz HPC – have been awarded contracts, is new. But even if the Mercedes-Benz HPC subsidiary acts as the operator of eleven charging parks, the charging points will be open to the public.

admin.astra.ch (in German), astnedcharging.com